World
The US House has passed a sweeping sanctions bill granting executive authority to levy up to 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian hydrocarbons. Facing direct exposure as a leading consumer of Russian crude, India reaffirmed its sovereign commitment to domestic energy security while preparing to navigate fresh diplomatic headwinds with Washington.
An area stretching far beyond Nepal and Tibet, both engulfed in a devastating flood is feeling the fallout of the disaster in which 350 people have died and toll is set to rise. Citizens from a number of countries have lost their lives hence the global impact.
Nepal is facing a major humanitarian crisis after devastating flash floods swept through parts of the country, leaving hundreds dead and many people missing. Rescue and recovery operations have been intensified as authorities search for survivors and assess the extensive damage caused by the floods.
In a historic departure from its post-World War II pacifist doctrine, the Japanese Cabinet, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has officially lifted the long-standing ban on the export of lethal military equipment. The landmark policy change allows for the transfer of advanced hardware—including missiles, warships, and combat drones—to select security partners such as the United States and Australia. Driven by escalating regional tensions and the military expansion of China and North Korea, the shift aims to revitalize Japan’s domestic defense industry and deepen allied cooperation. While the government frames the move as a necessary step for “proactive contribution to peace,” the decision has ignited fierce debate over the future of Japan’s constitutional pacifism and its evolving role in the global arms market.
Bulgaria has voted for a radical change. By handing a landslide victory to Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party, voters have chosen a leader who promises to end years of political chaos while pivoting toward a more pro-Russian foreign policy. With 44.5% of the vote and an absolute majority in parliament, Radev is now set to become Prime Minister, a move that could significantly challenge the European Union’s stance on energy and the conflict in Ukraine.
In a significant shift in diplomatic and defense dynamics, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on April 19, 2026, that Ukraine and India are finalizing a comprehensive security cooperation agreement. The move marks a deepening of ties between Kyiv and New Delhi as the conflict enters its fifth year, signaling India’s evolving role as a key strategic partner in global security management.
In a move aimed at strengthening ties with the Indian-origin community in Sri Lanka, India has expanded eligibility for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to include up to the sixth generation of people of Indian descent.
European officials are increasingly concerned that the United States may pursue a rapid, politically driven agreement with Iran that could fall short of resolving key issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, according to diplomatic sources.
Tehran/Washington, April 18: Iran has firmly rejected claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that…
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