WORLD

 CAIRO, 26 August, 2026(Kamran Raja) — Iran has resumed talks with neighboring Oman on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with the United States continue to put pressure on Tehran, Iranian officials said. Iran and Oman have held intermittent discussions for several weeks over arrangements to regulate shipping through the strategic waterway, a vital global energy route that handled around one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war began in February. The talks come as Iran faces growing economic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump amid the broader conflict. A temporary corridor through the Strait of Hormuz could help facilitate the movement of commercial vessels and reduce risks to international energy supplies. The Str...

 NEW YORK, 26 August 2026 (Nosheen) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he does not support an upcoming event in the city featuring Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an influential Hindu nationalist organisation closely associated with the ideological roots of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at an event in Manhattan on August 29, according to the event’s website. Mamdani, the first Muslim and Indian American to serve as mayor of New York City, said he did not support the gathering but questioned whether the city had legal authority to cancel a privately organised event. He said the vision of India he learned from his family was that of a pluralistic and secular republic where every citizen had a sens...

 TEHRAN, 26 August 2026 (Ghufran) — Iran and Oman have resumed discussions on managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid continued diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States and growing economic pressure on Tehran.The two countries said they discussed establishing a joint temporary navigational corridor through the strategic waterway and agreed to clear the route of mines.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, carrying a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Most commercial shipping through the waterway has remained disrupted since the conflict began in February.US President Donald Trump said that all mines in the strait had been cleared, repeating comments he had made previously.Although active hostilitie...

WASHINGTON, 25 August, 2026 (Ghufran): US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Russia on Tuesday to attend meetings in Moscow, according to US media reports citing unnamed sources. CBS News and Axios reported Ratcliffe’s visit, but neither outlet disclosed who the CIA director was scheduled to meet or what issues would be discussed. Ratcliffe, who previously served as US President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, now heads the CIA. Representatives for the CIA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports. Kremlin representatives also could not immediately be reached for comment. The reported visit comes amid continued diplomatic and security engagement between Washington and Moscow, although details about Ratcliffe’s me...

MOSCOW, 25 August, 2026(Nosheen): Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the state to temporarily take control of critical infrastructure facilities if private owners fail to adequately protect them from Ukrainian drone attacks or rebuild them after strikes.The decree, issued Monday, comes as Russia faces growing economic pressure and public frustration following months of intensified Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries, warehouses and other key infrastructure. The measure applies to a wide range of facilities, including energy, industrial, communications, transportation and logistics infrastructure. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that some business owners were not paying sufficient attention to anti-drone security measures. “Given the threat to vital e...

WASHINGTON, 25 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, lifting a major obstacle to investment and economic engagement as Washington moves to deepen ties with Syria’s new government. The decision, posted on the US Treasury Department’s website, took effect after a 45-day congressional review period. US President Donald Trump had formally notified Congress on July 8 of his intention to rescind Syria’s designation.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision reflected positive steps and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance the country from acts of international terrorism. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the removal of the designation would help r...

  TEHRAN, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Iran has vowed to retaliate against expanded US economic sanctions, warning that any further pressure could trigger both military action and additional reductions in oil exports from the Gulf. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures on Monday, saying the sanctions were aimed at cutting off what Washington described as Iran’s economic lifeline. However, he stopped short of imposing the most severe penalties, warning countries that continued trading with Iran could risk losing access to the US dollar-based financial system. The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions against 60 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Iran. The measures did not include Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iranian oil...

CAIRO, 24 August, 2026 (Web Desk): Israeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed two young children and at least two other Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials in the territory.Medics and relatives said 10-year-old Amal Abu Khater was struck by a bullet in the back while she was eating inside her family’s tent in Khan  Younis in southern Gaza. According to medics and relatives, the gunfire came from Israeli forces positioned to the east of the area. Health officials said the incidents were among the latest casualties reported in Gaza amid continued Israeli military operations in the territory. The reported deaths have added to the mounting civilian toll in Gaza, where residents continue to face severe humanitarian conditions and ongoing violence.  

 BEIJING, 24 August, 2026 (Web Desk): China has strongly reacted to the United States’ indication of imposing sanctions, warning that Beijing will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, speaking at a media briefing, said sanctions and pressure tactics do not help resolve disputes. He urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine global economic growth and financial stability. Lin said China is closely monitoring the tense situation in the region and will take necessary measures whenever required to protect its legitimate rights and interests. Without directly naming the United States, the Chinese spokesperson said sanctions and pressu...