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India and New Zealand advance defence cooperation on maritime security and joint training while implementing Roadmap 2030 and expanding wider strategic and economic ties.reports India Daily News Desk India and New Zealand have stepped up discussions on defence cooperation, with maritime security, joint training and the implementation of a new strategic roadmap taking centre stage during the second India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington. The talks underline the growing securit

Canada will impose dollar-for-dollar tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods after trade talks collapsed between the two countries...reports Asian Lite News Desk Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on US goods after trade talks between the two countries broke down, escalating tensions between the North American neighbours. In a nationally televised address, Carney said Canadas counter-tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods would take e

Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States in two weeks, as tensions over tariffs, trade and technology remain high, reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States in two weeks, without providing a specific date, venue or agenda for the expected meeting. Trump made the announcement while addressing a Republican campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday. As an example, in tw

US Canada trade talks collapse after Washington imposes 50 per cent tariffs, with Prime Minister Mark Carney promising dollar-for-dollar retaliation to protect Canadian businesses, reports Asian Lite News Desk Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada have collapsed, with Washington imposing fresh 50 per cent tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian imports and Ottawa vowing to retaliate dollar-for-dollar. The latest escalation came late Friday night after last-minute talks

The Trump administration has approved a possible $4.5 billion sale of KC-46A refuelling aircraft and related equipment to Qatarreports Asian Lite News Desk The Trump administration has approved a possible $4.5 billion sale of KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar, the US State Department said. Qatar has requested up to four KC-46A aircraft, along with eight PW4062 turbofan engines, including four spares, radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasure systems and othe

European Union leaders have reaffirmed their support for the International Criminal Court after the United States imposed sanctions on its president and a senior lawyerreports Asian Lite News Desk European Union leaders on Wednesday voiced strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), a day after the United States imposed sanctions on two senior officials of the Hague-based tribunal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said

Islamabad rejected Gors description of the territory as an important part of India, calling the remarks factually incorrectreports. Asian Lite News Desk Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US Charg dAffaires in Islamabad and lodged a formal protest over remarks made by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir. According to Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad delivered a demarche over what it described as the Ambassadors factually incorrect commen

Trump said the pause, requested by Canada, would allow both sides to finalise details, including possible changes to tariffs on steel and aluminium.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has delayed the implementation of a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods for three days, saying the United States and Canada were close to reaching a deal that could also ease duties on steel and aluminium. We delayed it for three days because I think we have a deal with the Prime Minister and a

Thousands of Indian green card applicants could face wider financial scrutiny under new US immigration guidance taking effect next month.reports Asian Lite News Desk New US green card rules could bring greater financial scrutiny for thousands of Indians seeking permanent residency, with immigration officers set to consider a wider range of public benefits when assessing whether applicants could become a public charge. The new guidance from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will tak

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Washington could impose further measures and called on other countries to withdraw support for the courtreports Asian Lite News Desk The United States has imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, escalating the Trump administrations campaign against the tribunal and warning that further measures could follow. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Akane, a Japanese national, and Sey

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the citys main India Day Parade in Manhattan despite being invited, breaking a tradition followed by several predecessors.reports Asian Lite News Desk New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has broken a long-standing mayoral tradition by skipping the citys main India Day Parade in Manhattan, despite being invited to the annual event celebrating Indias Independence Day. Mamdani did not attend the 44th India Day Parade organised by the Federation of Indian Associations

US President Donald Trump has said Washington will take over the Strait of Hormuz as US territory after what he described as the defeat of Iranreports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has said the United States will take over the Strait of Hormuz as US territory pretty soon after defeating Iran, escalating his rhetoric over the strategically vital waterway at the centre of the ongoing conflict. After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon, Ill be

Indian drone manufacturers have been excluded from a preferential US tariff regime that offers lower duties to selected trading partnersreports Asian Lite News Desk Indian drone manufacturers have been left outside a preferential US tariff regime that gives selected partners lower rates, potentially exposing India-made unmanned aircraft and components to duties of up to 100 per cent. US President Donald Trump signed the proclamation on Thursday, citing what the White House described as a nationa

US envoy Sergio Gor says India, Australia, Japan and US are aligned on closer cooperation and practical results for regional stabilityreports Asian Lite News Desk US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Thursday that the four Quad countries are aligned in advancing closer cooperation and delivering results for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Gor made the remarks after meeting Australias High Commissioner to India Philip Green and Japans Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono. The diplomats discussed up

The move follows bipartisan efforts to preserve duty-free access for thousands of products from eligible African countries and Haitian apparel and textilesreports Africa Daily News Desk The US Senate has approved a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) and the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership and Encouragement (HOPE). The extension, secured as part of last weeks bipartisan continuing resolution (CR), maintai

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation to deepen Washingtons engagement with Tibets government-in-exile.reports Asian Lite News Desk A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation seeking to strengthen US engagement with Tibets government-in-exile and ensure continued American support for Tibetan institutions beyond the lifetime of the 14th Dalai Lama. The Assuring the Future of Tibet Act was introduced by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Senator

Cricket Scotland and the Netherlands KNCB have criticised the ICCs revised ODI World Cup structure and qualification pathway as a setback for Associate nationsreports Asian Lite News Desk Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have described the International Cricket Councils (ICC) recent changes to the qualification pathway and tournament structure for the Mens ODI World Cup as a major setback for Associate nations, warning that the move could undermine years of progres

Hormuz reopening hopes dim as Trump demands Iranian compensation, while Tehran insists wider US concessions are needed before unrestricted shipping can resume.reports Asian Lite News Desk Hopes of a breakthrough to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have weakened after US President Donald Trump demanded that Iran pay compensation for deaths and damage he says resulted from Iranian actions over decades, adding a new obstacle to already difficult negotiations. Trumps demand came as Iran and Oman moved cl

US President Donald Trump has stepped up attacks on Muslim communities and Democratic candidates ahead of the midterm elections.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric against Muslim communities and Democratic candidates from those communities ahead of the midterm elections, with his latest social media post targeting Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Trump shared an image on Truth Social showing El-Sayed standing before a crowd that included w

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran remains open to dialogue with Washington but will not surrender, amid renewed tensions and uncertainty over negotiations, reports Asian Lite News Desk Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Tehrans willingness to pursue dialogue to safeguard its rights, while insisting that Iran will not be forced into surrender. Pezeshkian made the remarks in an interview published on his offices website on Friday, defending the governments decision to

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the governing body shelved its controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposalreports Africa Daily News Desk The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, backing his leadership despite the controversy surrounding the now-shelved FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal that drew criticism from several football bod

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will remain in their current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.reports Asian Lite News Desk Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not withdraw its forces from their current positions in the Gaza Strip until Hamas has been fully disarmed, signalling that any military pullback remains contingent on the armed groups surrender of its weapons. In a video statement posted on social media, Netanyahu

Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face severe consequences if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon, while claiming negotiations with Tehran are progressingreports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will be hit very hard if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened very soon, while insisting Washington is engaged in productive discussions with Tehran despite repeated denials from Iranian officials. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday (US local t

Brand New Day posts the second-biggest global opening ever, giving Marvel a timely blockbuster ahead of Avengers: Doomsday. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has delivered one of the biggest box office debuts in cinema history, earning a staggering $927 million (687 million) worldwide during its opening weekend and becoming the highest-grossing debut in Sony Pictures history. The latest instalment in the Spider-Man franchise, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Sadie Sink, collected $355 million from 4,48

Netanyahu has rejected key parts of Donald Trumps Gaza peace plan, saying Hamas must be disarmed before reconstruction can beginreports Asian Lite News Desk Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged differences with US President Donald Trump over the proposed Gaza peace framework, insisting that Hamas must be fully disarmed before any reconstruction of the territory can begin. Speaking after meeting Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov on Monday, Netanya

A coalition of 25 US states has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps latest round of Section 301 tariffs, arguing they exceed his legal authority.reports Asian Lite News Desk A coalition of 25 US states has sued the Trump administration over its latest Section 301 tariffs, arguing that President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority by imposing sweeping import duties on goods from 60 trading partners. The complaint, filed in the US Court of International Trade, challenges tari

US President Donald Trump has said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after Gulf states urged Washington to halt planned military action and pursue diplomacy.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday afternoon after several Middle Eastern countries urged Washington to suspend planned military action, claiming there was a viable path towards a diplomatic agreement. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while tra

Donald Trump said the US has cancelled a planned military strike on Iran after what he described as progress towards a potential agreement with Tehranreports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States has cancelled a planned military strike on Iran after what he described as progress towards a potential agreement with Tehran, while stressing that the decision remains conditional on Iran rapidly concluding a deal. He also said Israel had joined Washington

Former diplomats and analysts say the vacancies could weaken US engagement at a time of growing geopolitical competitionreports Asian Lite News Desk The United States has left more than 40 African nations without a Senate-confirmed ambassador, raising concerns about its ability to conduct diplomacy and security engagement across the continent. A total of 41 African countries currently do not have a confirmed US envoy, including Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya and Sudan. W

US embassies across the Middle East have urged American citizens to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart if tensions escalate further.reports Asian Lite News Desk The United States has advised its citizens across parts of the Middle East to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart if the security situation deteriorates further, citing the risk of renewed escalation. US embassies in around 10 countries, including Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Em

The proposal comes after Islamabads own unsuccessful attempt to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States.reports Asian Lite News Desk Iran has reiterated its offer to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging the two neighbours to engage in dialogue to resolve their longstanding border disputes and recurring cross-border violence. The renewed proposal comes as relations between Islamabad and Kabul remain strained over militant activity, border security and disagreements surr

Commonwealth Sport has turned its attention to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, Gujarat, with a kite-flying celebration in Glasgowreports Asian Lite News Desk Commonwealth Sport has officially shifted its focus to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, Gujarat, with a kite-flying celebration in Glasgow featuring athletes, sports officials and members of the local Indian community. Scotlands Commonwealth Games gold medallist Reuben Ward and Indias long jump silver medallist Murali Sreesha

A mother to four-year-old son Rudra, Seema has seen her career flourish since returning to competitionreports Asian Lite News Desk Seema Kaliramnas inspiring journey of resilience reached a new milestone on Thursday as the Indian discus thrower won the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, securing her first major international podium finish. The 27-year-old finished third in the womens discus throw despite managing only two valid attempts from six throws, with several efforts

Although several Brazilian football legends, including Pel, have played exhibition matches in India, this will be the first appearance by Brazils senior national teamreports Asian Lite News Desk India will host five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in an international friendly in Kolkata on October 3, marking the first-ever visit by the Brazilian senior mens national team to the country. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday that the match will be played at the Vivek

Indian national Amritpal Singh is wanted by the FBI over alleged cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking linked to Vancouver-based Ravinder Dhanda organised crime network.reports India Daily News Desk An Indian national, Amritpal Singh, has been placed on the US Federal Bureau of Investigations Most Wanted list over his alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking network operating across North America, according to the FBI. The bureau said Singh is wanted for his alleged role in the

Social Media Cooking Star Shadi Faleel Celebrates Successful Launch of Debut Cookbook Food lovers, media, influencers and content creators came together in London this week to celebrate the launch of Easy Indian Food Anyone Can Make, the debut cookbook from social media sensation Shadi Faleel, published by Penguin Random House. The launch event, held at ISSO, Canary Wharf, welcomed guests from across the food, publishing and influencer industries to mark a major milestone for one of the UKs fast

Dr Jiazhen Zheng from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Guangzhou, who led the research, said the findings point towards the long-term importance of nutrition during the earliest stages of life Restricting sugar intake during pregnancy and the first two years of life may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life, according to a new study that examined more than 65,000 people born in Britain during and after the Second World War-era sugar rationing per

FIFAs plan to sell minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary has drawn criticism from the FA, UEFA and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham over transparency and footballs governancereports Asian Lite News Desk FIFAs proposal to sell minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary to private investors has triggered growing opposition from football authorities, with the Football Association (FA), UEFA and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham questioning the transparency of the plan and warning against th

Iran denies seeking talks with Washington despite Donald Trump claiming diplomatic progress, as a fragile pause in fighting raises cautious hopes of easing regional tensions, reports Asian Lite US News Desk Iran has insisted it has neither requested nor resumed negotiations with the United States, despite President Donald Trump claiming Washington and Tehran are holding good talks following a temporary pause in hostilities. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign

The meeting comes after recent tensions over Iran, changes in Gaza policy and a challenging political backdrop for the Israeli prime ministerreports Asian Lite News Desk Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Washington on Monday for talks with US President Donald Trump, marking their first face-to-face meeting since the recent conflict involving Iran and the first since February. The visit will be Netanyahus eighth meeting with Trump since the US president returned to office. It

The diplomatic dispute followed a heated General Assembly vote in which the US and Russia unsuccessfully opposed Turks second termreports Asian Lite News Desk The United States and France publicly clashed at the United Nations on Monday over the re-election of Volker Turk as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with Washington staging a rare walkout during a Security Council meeting as France addressed the chamber. The dispute marked an unusual public confrontation between two longstanding Wes

Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with a blistering 81 before the bowlers sealed Indias third successive win in the format.reports Asian Lite News Desk India completed a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 35-run victory in the third and final match at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. Defending 193, India restricted Zimbabwe to 157/7 in 20 overs to hand captain Shreyas Iyer his first T20I series win since taking charge of the side last month. Zimbabwes c

The Oval will host the 2027 ICC World Test Championship Final from June 9-13, marking its second staging of the global showpiecereports Asian Lite News Desk The Oval has been confirmed as the venue for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, with the five-day contest scheduled to be played from June 9 to 13. The match will mark the second time The Oval has hosted the WTC Final after staging the 2023 decider, when Australia defeated India before a capacity crowd. The England and Wales C

US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the White House in September, signalling another round of high-level engagement between Washington and Beijing.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the White House in September, signalling plans for another high-level meeting between the leaders of the worlds two largest economies amid continued competition over trade, technology and se

The White House said Donald Trump will approve a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia only if Riyadh normalises relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump will approve a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia only if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords and establishes diplomatic relations with Israel, the White House said on Thursday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the proposed agreement would allow only c

US forces launch fresh strikes on Iranian military targets after restoring a naval blockade, as Tehran threatens regional energy exports and tensions grip the Strait of Hormuz, reports Asian Lite News Desk The United States carried out a new round of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday after reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports, further escalating tensions in the Gulf as Tehran warned it could target more regional energy export routes. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it lau

The renewed hostilities have prompted the United Nations to call for an immediate halt to military action and a return to negotiations.reports Asian Lite News Desk The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran on Sunday after accusing Iranian forces of attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire between the two countries. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began at 5 p.m. Eastern Time and w

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has begun a five-day visit to Spain, Belgium and Finland as India intensifies efforts to conclude its long-awaited Free Trade Agreement with the European Unionreports Asian Lite News Desk Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday began a five-day visit to Spain, Belgium and Finland, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, as India seeks to strengthen its economic engagement with the European Union and advance negotiations for the proposed India