Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says he has directed the country’s foreign minister to explore negotiations with the United States, provided talks take place under what he described as fair and respectful conditions. In a message posted Tuesday on social media platform X, Pezeshkian said discussions would only proceed if the diplomatic environment is free of threats or what he called unreasonable demands. He said any engagement must be guided by national dignity, prudence, and Iran’s broader interests. The remarks mark the clearest public indication so far that Iran’s new reformist a

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting comes weeks after Trump threatened military action against Colombia over issues related to drug trafficking. On Monday, Trump indicated that Petro appears willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities to curb illegal drug shipments originating from Colombia. Officials say the discussions during the visit are expected to focus on regional security collaboration and efforts to accelerate anti-drug initiatives. Petro and Trump have also voiced ongoing criticism of Venezuelan

U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration plans to lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, down from the current 25 per cent, after India agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia. The announcement follows months of pressure from Washington urging New Delhi to reduce its reliance on discounted Russian crude amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. India has been one of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, taking advantage of lower prices as many Western countries moved to restrict energy trade with Russia. The issue has been a

Pakistan’s security forces say they have killed about 145 militants in a series of counter-operations across the southwestern province of Balochistan, following coordinated attacks that left around 50 people dead. The provincial government says the operations were launched shortly after the assaults, which targeted multiple locations early Saturday. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the army and police responded swiftly after the attacks, which were later claimed by the banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army. He stated that those killed in the security operation were

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened for limited movement, according to Egyptian and Israeli security officials, marking an early practical step following the implementation of a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas conflict. An Egyptian official involved in ceasefire coordination said around 50 Palestinians were expected to cross in each direction on the first day of operations. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions surrounding the ceasefire arrangements remain confidential. Egypt’s state-run media also reported that the crossing had resume

Israel says it will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people in and out of the territory for the first time in nearly two years. The Israeli military agency COGAT, which oversees civilian coordination with Gaza, said the reopening will permit “limited movement of people only,” with both Israel and Egypt screening those seeking to cross. European Union border assistance personnel will supervise operations at the crossing, Gaza’s primary link to the outside world. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, following ren

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, a move that could signal a shift in the direction of American monetary policy. The nomination comes as the term of current chair Jerome Powell is set to expire in May. Warsh, 55, previously served as a Federal Reserve governor from 2006 to 2011, a period that included the global financial crisis. He is well known in financial and policy circles and is viewed as an experienced figure with deep familiarity with central banking and global markets. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Powe

U.S. federal prosecutors have laid charges against a Minnesota man accused of throwing a liquid on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a public event in Minneapolis earlier this week, an incident authorities are treating as an assault on a sitting lawmaker. Court documents filed by the U.S. Justice Department say Anthony Kazmierczak was arrested following the incident and is charged with forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating a member of Congress while she was performing official duties. According to a sworn affidavit, investigators later determined the substance spray

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a renewed warning to Iran, saying time is running out for Tehran to decide on a nuclear agreement, while raising the prospect of American military action if talks fail. The comments add fresh tension to already strained relations between the two countries. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said a large U.S. naval force is moving toward Iran. He claimed the deployment is bigger than a previous fleet sent toward Venezuela and suggested it could act with speed and force if required. The White House has not released further details ab