Macron’s Damascus trip marks diplomatic turning point French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, July 6, becoming the first Western head of state to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. His two-day trip marks a significant diplomatic moment as Syria seeks to rebuild international ties after years of isola

US raises alarm over China missile launch The United States has sharply criticised China after Beijing conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, saying the launch reflects growing concern over China’s expanding and opaque nuclear programme. The missile, which carried a dummy warhead, was fired on Monday, July 6, in what Beijing

Pakistan military raises Indus water issue Pakistan’s top military leadership has said it will take “all measures necessary” to secure the country’s water share under the Indus Waters Treaty, months after India placed the decades-old pact in abeyance following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. The statement was issued after the 276th Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi, chaired by

Chants target Pezeshkian at funeral Hardline supporters of Iran’s Islamic Republic chanted against President Masoud Pezeshkian during the funeral procession for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday, highlighting internal divisions over diplomacy with the United States. Videos shared on social media appeared to show mourners shouting “death to compromiser” as Pezeshkian attended the cere

Pastor Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin, has reached the United States after spending months in detention in China, bringing relief to his family and supporters of Zion Church. The pastor arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, where he reunited with his daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, and met his infant grandson for the first time. His release has drawn attention because Jin had become one of the most visible figures in China’s independent Christian community.

Pakistan’s school crisis continues to raise serious concern as millions of children remain outside classrooms despite the country declaring a National Education Emergency two years ago. Estimates suggest that around 25.1 million to 26 million children are still out of school, showing that the challenge is not limited to policy announcements. The larger problem lies in weak implementation, poor funding, lack of local accountability and gaps between provincial planning a

Iran has thanked India after an official Indian delegation attended the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The Iranian Embassy in India described the visit as a gesture of friendship, respect and solidarity during a period of national mourning in Iran. India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, who travelled to Tehran as part of New Delhi’s officia

Rutte’s Trump strategy faces new NATO test NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s careful management of President Donald Trump is facing a fresh test ahead of the alliance’s Ankara summit, where defence spending, US commitment and European security are expected to dominate discussions. During a recent Washington visit, Rutte presented Trump with charts highlighting

The AAPI Tampa convention brought more than 1,000 physicians of Indian origin to Tampa, Florida, for a four-day gathering focused on global health, medical innovation and public service. The AAPI Tampa convention ran from Thursday, July 2, 2026, through Sunday, July 5, 2026, over the July 4 weekend. AAPI Tampa convention focuses on global healthcare The 2026 annual convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin included s