World

19

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Trump eases Venezuela oil sanctions as US seeks to boost world oil supply during Iran war

Washington: Amid intensified war in the Middle East, US companies have been allowed to do business with Venezuela's state-owned oil and gas company after the US Treasury Department eased sanctions, with some limitations, on Wednesday as the Trump administration looks for ways to boost global oil supplies during the Iran war. Treasury Department issues broad authorisation for Venezuela  In this regard, the Treasury Department issued a broad authorisation allowing Petróleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, to directly sell Venezuelan oil to US companies and on global markets, a massive shift after Washington for years had largely blocked dealings with Venezuela's government and…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

‘Joe Kent had no role in Iran operation’: White House clarifies amid information leak claims

Washington: The White House has dismissed claims linking senior security official Joe Kent to alleged internal leaks during the US operation against Iran. Speaking to Fox News, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent had no role in the ongoing operations related to Iran, pushing back against speculation surrounding the leaks.  "Its been a while since the President has seen him. This was an individual who was not involved in any of the discussions pre-operation and throughout this operation,” she said.  Notably, Trump’s top counterterrorism officials Joe Kent on Tuesday resigned from his post saying he was against the US operation…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Mojtaba Khamenei condemns Ali Larijani’s killing, vows retribution: ‘Every drop of spilled blood…’

Tehran: Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a forceful statement following the assassination of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani, attributing his death to “criminal murderers” and warning that justice will follow. In his first public response to the killing, Mojtaba expressed profound anger over the loss of the senior official. He said that every drop of blood has its due vengeance, and that those responsible will soon pay for the blood of Larijani. He emphasised that the perpetrators will be held to account, underscoring Iran’s resolve to avenge the death. "Without a doubt, the assassination of such…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Afghanistan-Pakistan announce temporary pause in fighting ahead of Eid

Kabul: Afghanistan has announced a temporary pause in fighting against Pakistan ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, following a similar provisional halt in strikes declared earlier by Pakistan. Afghan government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the decision in a statement on Wednesday. Both sides said the pause in hostilities was requested by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. The announcements come two days after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike that it said struck a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has seen repeated cross-border clashes…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Gulf tensions spike as Israel hits Iran’s South Pars; Know about world’s largest gas reserve

Tehran: In a major escalation in the Middle East, Israeli strikes have targeted the South Pars mega-field, the world’s largest known natural gas reserve, which supplies around 70 percent of Iran's domestic natural gas. In response, Iran has threatened to hit other Gulf energy facilities and issued warnings urging people to evacuate areas near key oil infrastructure in the region. The attacks have already impacted global energy markets. Brent North Sea crude surged over five percent to $108.60 per barrel, while the main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, climbed 1.9 percent to $98.01. South Pars/North Dome: A critical energy…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Eid-Al-Fitr 2026: UAE bans outdoor prayer gatherings to ensure civilian safety amid Iranian strikes

Abu Dhabi: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announced that this year's Eid al-Fitr prayers will be held exclusively inside mosques nationwide, with traditional open air prayer grounds temporarily suspended as part of precautionary safety measures. The move marks a significant departure from long-standing practice, where large numbers of worshippers gather in open spaces for the special prayers marking the end of Ramadan. In a statement, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat said Eid prayers will take place only within mosques across the country. The authority reiterated that the arrangement applies nationwide and will be strictly…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

China supplied deadly drones, satellite navigation systems, missile fuel chemicals to Iran: US report

New Delhi: As the conflict in the Middle East involving the US, Israel, and Iran has intensified and entered its 19th day, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a key body affiliated with the US Congress, has made a major claim in its latest report. The report claimed that China provided offensive drones, rocket fuel-related chemicals, and satellite navigation support to Iran, which are now being used in ongoing attacks across West Asia. The conflict began the same day when the US and Israel together launched airstrikes on Iran. In response, Iran targeted Gulf nations hosting American military bases…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Russian oil tankers bound for China divert to India amid West Asia war turmoil, claims report

New Delhi: A major reshuffle in Asia's crude oil flows is underway as Russian tankers that were originally bound for China are now diverting mid-voyage towards India. Fresh vessel-tracking data reported by Bloomberg shows several such diversions in recent weeks, signalling how India has stepped up purchases of discounted Russian oil at a time of global supply disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. One of the most prominent diversions is that of the tanker Aqua Titan, which is now expected to reach New Mangalore on March 21 carrying Urals crude sourced from a Baltic Sea port. The…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib killed in overnight strikes, says Israel

New Delhi: Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has been killed in overnight Israeli strikes, Israel's Defence Minister Katz said on Wednesday, just a day after the assassination of two other key figures of the Iranian regime - Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani on Tuesday. However, Iran has not yet confirmed Khatib's death. Katz said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised the military to eliminate any other senior Iranian official under target, without requiring further approval. "PM Netanyahu and I have authorised the IDF to eliminate any senior Iranian official once…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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World

Iran security chief Ali Larijani, killed in Israeli airstrike, had opposed Mojtaba Khamenei’s elevation: Report

Tehran: Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, had opposed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his slain father as supreme leader, on the grounds that hereditary rule is inconsistent with the principles of the Islamic Republic, according to a Bloomberg report.  Larijani, a veteran politician who helped lead Iran's wartime efforts against the US and Israel, was killed alongside his son, according to a statement released by Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday and published by state media. As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was at the core of…

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