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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

‘Return Koh-i-Noor’: Zohran Mamdani Urges King Charles III In New York To Return Diamond To India

<p>King Charles III’s visit to the United States took a sharp turn as the long-running controversy over the Koh-i-Noor diamond resurfaced during his stop in New York City. The monarch, who had been warmly welcomed in Washington by Donald Trump and members of Congress, encountered a more restrained reception in the country’s largest city.</p> <h3>Warm Welcome In Washington, Cooler Tone In New York</h3> <p>Charles’ trip began on a high note in Washington, where he was praised by political leaders and hosted at an elaborate state dinner. However, the mood shifted upon his arrival in New York, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined to schedule a private meeting with the king.</p> <p>Mamdani’s office confirmed that while he would attend a public event alongside Charles, no one-on-one engagement would take place, signaling a deliberate diplomatic distance.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a title="US Burns Rs 2 Lakh Crore On Iran War And Counting More, As Much As NASA Gets In A Year" href="https://ift.tt/8zvWZYk" target="_self">US Burns Rs 2 Lakh Crore On Iran War And Counting More, As Much As NASA Gets In A Year</a></strong></p> <h3>Koh-i-Noor Demand Rekindles Debate</h3> <p>Ahead of the visit, Mamdani made it clear that the Koh-i-Noor issue would be central if a conversation with the monarch occurred. He said he would urge the king to return the diamond, a 105.6-carat gem taken in 1849 from Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was just ten years old at the time.</p> <p>The diamond, now embedded in the British Crown Jewels, has long been a point of contention. India maintains that it was acquired under coercive circumstances during colonial rule and sees it as a symbol of historical injustice. The United Kingdom, however, continues to assert legal ownership based on the Treaty of Lahore.</p> <h3>Tribute At 9/11 Memorial</h3> <p>Charles’ primary engagement in New York was a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.</p> <p>Accompanied by Queen Camilla and former mayor Michael Bloomberg, he paid tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks, touring the memorial site and observing a moment of remembrance.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a title="Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Phone Call On Iran War, Ukraine Ceasefire Push" href="https://ift.tt/syjqDow" target="_self">Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Phone Call On Iran War, Ukraine Ceasefire Push</a></strong></p> <h3>Brief Interaction, Unanswered Questions</h3> <p>Despite earlier tensions, Charles and Mamdani did briefly interact during the event, exchanging smiles and a handshake. It remains unclear whether the Koh-i-Noor issue was raised in their short exchange. Neither Buckingham Palace nor the mayor’s office provided further details.</p> <p>The episode highlights how unresolved questions tied to colonial history continue to influence modern diplomatic engagements, even during ceremonial visits meant to emphasize unity and remembrance.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/king-charles-iii-in-new-york-return-kohinoor-zohran-mamdani-urges-to-return-diamond-to-india-1839545

US Burns Rs 2 Lakh Crore On Iran War And Counting More, As Much As NASA Gets In A Year

<p>The United States’ military campaign in Iran has cost an estimated $25 billion so far, a senior Pentagon official told lawmakers on Wednesday, marking the first official figure attached to the conflict.</p> <p>The disclosure comes at a politically sensitive moment, with just six months to go before midterm elections. President Donald Trump’s Republicans are bracing for a tough battle to retain their House majority, while Democrats are gaining ground in opinion polls and seeking to tie the costly war to broader concerns about affordability.</p> <h2>Pentagon Reveals First Official Cost Estimate</h2> <p>Jules Hurst, performing the duties of comptroller, told the House Armed Services Committee that the bulk of the spending had gone towards munitions. However, Hurst did not clarify what exactly the $25 billion figure includes, leaving unanswered whether it accounts for the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing damaged US base infrastructure across the Middle East, reported Reuters. </p> <p>The lack of clarity drew a sharp response from Rep. Adam Smith, the panel’s top Democrat. “I’m glad you answered that question. Because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one’s given us the number,” he said.</p> <p>To put the scale in perspective, the $25 billion cost matches the entire annual budget of NASA.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="%20https://ift.tt/syjqDow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Phone Call On Iran War, Ukraine Ceasefire Push</a></strong></p> <h2>Political Heat Rises as War Costs Mount</h2> <p>Questions remain over how the Pentagon arrived at the figure. A source had previously told Reuters that the first six days of the war alone cost at least $11.3 billion, raising doubts about the calculation behind the latest estimate.</p> <p>Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the expenditure, arguing it was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?” he asked lawmakers.</p> <p>In a heated exchange, Hegseth rejected criticism of the war as a “quagmire” and accused Democratic lawmakers of undermining US interests. He described critics as “reckless, feckless, and defeatist”, pushing back strongly against mounting opposition.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/sVrOYan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran To ‘Get Smart Soon’ Over Non-Nuclear Deal</a></strong></p> <h2>Waning Public Support </h2> <p>The US began strikes on Iran on February 28, and both sides are now observing a fragile ceasefire. The Pentagon has since deployed tens of thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, including maintaining three aircraft carriers in the region.</p> <p>The human cost has also risen, with 13 US troops killed and hundreds wounded during the conflict.</p> <p>Public support appears to be slipping. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that just 34% of Americans approve of the war, down from 36% in mid-April and 38% in mid-March, signalling growing unease as the conflict drags on.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-cost-25-billion-spent-so-far-spends-rs-2-lakh-crore-equal-to-nasa-annual-budget-1839529

Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Phone Call On Iran War, Ukraine Ceasefire Push

<p>Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a phone call on Wednesday, turning their attention to two of the world’s most volatile flashpoints, the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the fragile ceasefire in Ukraine.</p> <p>The conversation, which lasted more than 90 minutes, saw the Russian president warn that any potential US ground invasion of Iran would be dangerous. At the same time, Putin welcomed Trump’s decision to extend the temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin leader’s foreign policy adviser, as reported by The Guardian.</p> <h2>Trump Calls It a ‘Very Good Conversation’</h2> <p>Trump later described the exchange in positive terms, calling it a “very good conversation” and noting his long-standing familiarity with the Russian leader. The US president also revealed that Putin had offered to take custody of Iran’s buried uranium, though Trump indicated he would rather see Moscow focus its efforts on helping bring the war in Ukraine to an end.</p> <p>Despite Trump’s repeated assertions that a deal to resolve the Ukraine conflict is within reach, the gap between Moscow and Kyiv remains wide. While Washington has signalled optimism, there has been little tangible progress towards a lasting settlement.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/sVrOYan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran To ‘Get Smart Soon’ Over Non-Nuclear Deal</a></strong></p> <h2>Ukraine Stalemate Persists Amid Conflicting Positions</h2> <p>Putin has made it clear that Russia is prepared to continue its military campaign until Ukraine agrees to cede territories currently under Russian control in the Donbas region, among other conditions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected any such concessions, keeping the dispute at the heart of stalled peace negotiations.</p> <p>During the call, Putin told Trump that Russian forces still held the initiative on the battlefield and were continuing to push back Ukrainian positions.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Russia’s role in the Iran conflict has remained largely peripheral in diplomatic terms, despite its alliance with Tehran. Western intelligence agencies have said Moscow continues to provide support, including intelligence and drones, allegedly used in strikes against US targets in the region.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/IWsxAoG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Two Kings’: White House Post On Donald Trump, King Charles III Meet Raises Eyebrows</a></strong></p> <h2>Trump Urges Iran To Deal </h2> <p>On the same day, Trump publicly urged Iran to “get smart soon” and agree to a deal. According to a White House official, he also held discussions with oil companies about how to reduce the impact of a potential US blockade of Iranian ports, which could last for months.</p> <p>As tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated through public rhetoric, diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes. Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has been working to prevent further escalation while facilitating indirect communication between the two sides, a Pakistani source told Reuters.</p> <p>Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said Iran was free to reach out if it wanted talks, adding in a post on Truth Social that Tehran “couldn’t get its act together”.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8fzt9CYacM?si=hendtgjjxn0PTKLb" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-putin-call-discuss-iran-war-ukraine-ceasefire-us-israel-iran-war-1839527

Applying For A US Visa In 2026? Your Answer To These 2 Questions Could Decide It

<p>A fresh directive from the United States has introduced a significant change to the visa process, adding two key questions that could determine whether an application moves forward or stops altogether.</p> <p>According to a report by WSJ, the US State Department on April 28, circulated a diplomatic cable to embassies and consulates worldwide, mandating immediate implementation of the new rule.</p> <h2><strong>What Has Changed in the Visa Process?</strong></h2> <p>Under the revised framework, all applicants for non-immigrant visas, including tourists, students, technology professionals, business travellers and seasonal workers, must now respond to two specific questions during their visa interview.</p> <p>The questions are:</p> <p>“Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?”</p> <p>“Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?”</p> <p>Consular officers have been instructed that applicants must verbally answer “no” to both questions for the application to proceed.</p> <p><strong>Also Read : <a title="Google Wallet Now Stores Your Aadhaar, But Is Your Data Safe?" href="https://ift.tt/zSfNl7t" target="_self">Google Wallet Now Stores Your Aadhaar, But Is Your Data Safe?</a></strong></p> <h2><strong>Why These Questions Matter</strong></h2> <p>The directive suggests that expressing fear of returning home could signal that the applicant may not intend to stay temporarily, raising concerns over misuse of visa categories.</p> <p>This effectively creates a high-stakes moment during the interview, where a single response could determine the outcome of the application.</p> <h2><strong>A Policy Shift Linked to Broader Crackdown</strong></h2> <p>US officials have tied the move to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which called for tighter scrutiny of visa programmes to prevent misuse by “foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security.”</p> <p>The timing is also notable. The directive comes shortly after a federal appeals court ruled that Trump’s earlier declaration of an “invasion” at the US-Mexico border, used to block asylum seekers, was unlawful.</p> <h2><strong>Concerns Over Future Legal Risks</strong></h2> <p>The policy raises questions about what happens if an applicant answers “no” during the visa process but later seeks asylum after entering the US.</p> <p>Immigration experts, as cited in the report, warn that such cases could lead to allegations of visa fraud and even deportation.</p> <p>The cable itself notes that a fear of returning home may cast doubt on whether the applicant’s original intent was truly temporary travel.</p> <h2><strong>Critics Warn of Chilling Effect</strong></h2> <p>The move has drawn strong criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who argue that it could undermine protections for vulnerable individuals.</p> <p>Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, said the policy appears to erode pathways for people seeking safety. “They’re trying to systematically demolish any means by which a persecuted person could seek protection and safety in the United States,” he said.</p> <p>He further added that the directive sends a troubling signal: “You’re explicitly asking someone: ‘Are you being persecuted in your country?’ And if they say ‘yes,’ the U.S. government’s official answer is: ‘Okay, stay there.’”</p> <p><strong>Also Read : <a title="ITR 2026: Why Debt Funds, Equity Gains, & Interest Income Are All Taxed Differently" href="https://ift.tt/4aerZYw" target="_self">ITR 2026: Why Debt Funds, Equity Gains, & Interest Income Are All Taxed Differently</a></strong></p> <h2><strong>Impact on Asylum Pathways</strong></h2> <p>Under US law, individuals can apply for asylum after arriving in the country if they face persecution or have a credible fear of harm. A separate refugee resettlement system also exists for applicants outside the US, reported The Financial Express.</p> <p>However, the current administration has already taken steps to tighten both routes. Nearly all refugee admissions have been halted, except for specific categories such as White South Africans, citing fraud risks and security concerns.</p> <p>Data cited by analyst David Bier of the Cato Institute highlights the scale of the shift: monthly asylum seekers fell sharply from nearly 40,000 in December 2024 to just 26 in February 2025, shortly after Trump returned to office.</p> <h2><strong>A New Gatekeeping Mechanism?</strong></h2> <p>The introduction of these questions is being seen by critics as a pre-screening mechanism, potentially limiting asylum claims before individuals even reach US soil.</p> <p>The directive’s timing, coming soon after a court ruling that reopened pathways for asylum processing at the southern border, has further fuelled debate over whether the policy represents an indirect way to restrict access.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/business/us-visa-rule-2026-new-questions-will-decide-your-application-fear-impact-applicants-explained-1839406

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

‘Two Kings’: White House Post On Donald Trump, King Charles III Meet Raises Eyebrows

<p><strong>Donald Trump, King Charles III Meet:</strong> King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday, blending historical reflection with a pointed message on global alliances. His speech, delivered during a four-day state visit, struck a careful balance between diplomacy and quiet critique, particularly in the context of Donald Trump’s approach to international partnerships.</p> <h3>A Reminder Rooted In History</h3> <p>Charles invoked the unity demonstrated after the September 11 attacks, referencing NATO’s first-ever use of collective defence.</p> <p>“In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time … we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder,” Charles said, as per reports.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EoN8_CAqTBU?si=Rp8k8eECuaDkmJ_j" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a title="Trump Claims ‘Iran In State Of Collapse, Wants Strait Of Hormuz Reopened Immediately’" href="https://ift.tt/6u5IHmN" target="_self">Trump Claims ‘Iran In State Of Collapse, Wants Strait Of Hormuz Reopened Immediately’</a><br /></strong></p> <p>The reference was widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of transatlantic solidarity, subtly countering Trump’s past remarks questioning the relevance of NATO. The King also pointed to the enduring importance of democratic principles, citing the Magna Carta as evidence that even monarchs are bound by the rule of law.</p> <h3>Ukraine, Alliances and Quiet Signals</h3> <p>Beyond historical reflection, Charles urged continued global resolve in supporting Ukraine, emphasising the need for unity among allies. While avoiding direct criticism, the tone of his remarks suggested unease with growing scepticism around longstanding alliances.</p> <p>The address reinforced what has often been described as the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom, even as underlying tensions over defence commitments and geopolitical priorities linger.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ:<a title=" Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania Joke, Rejects ‘Violence’ Claim As Trump Demands Action" href="https://ift.tt/dVTfWua" target="_self"> Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania Joke, Rejects ‘Violence’ Claim As Trump Demands Action</a></strong></p> <h3>Ceremony Meets Political Theatre</h3> <p>The visit unfolded with full ceremonial grandeur, honour guards, military displays, and a formal state dinner. Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is scheduled to travel to New York to pay tribute at the 9/11 memorial alongside Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.</p> <p>During his remarks, the King also condemned a recent act of violence, stating that “such acts of violence will never succeed.”</p> <h3>The ‘TWO KINGS’ Optics</h3> <p>Later at the White House, Trump welcomed the royal couple with visible warmth. A photograph of the meeting, shared by the administration, was captioned simply: “TWO KINGS.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">TWO KINGS. 👑 <a href="https://t.co/iPVUxc4i4H">pic.twitter.com/iPVUxc4i4H</a></p> — The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2049208884280062270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>The phrase echoed Trump’s earlier flirtations with monarchical imagery. In October 2025, he had circulated AI-generated visuals portraying himself as a crowned ruler, sparking debate and criticism. Supporters dismissed the backlash, while opponents pointed to the imagery as emblematic of a broader political narrative.</p> <p>Against this backdrop, Charles’s measured words and Trump’s theatrical framing created a striking juxtaposition—two leaders, two styles, and a moment heavy with both symbolism and geopolitical undertones.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/donald-trump-king-charles-iii-meet-white-house-post-raises-eyebrows-two-kings-1839299

US Marines board merchant ship in Arabian Sea suspected to be headed to Iran

<p> Washington, Apr 29 (PTI): US Marines boarded a commercial ship in the Arabian Sea suspecting it was headed to Iran in violation of the US-imposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p> The US Central Command said that the commercial ship M/V Blue Star III was searched and released after ascertaining that it was not headed to an Iranian port.</p><p> "Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports," CENTCOM wrote on X on Tuesday.</p><p> CENTCOM said US forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship's voyage would not include an Iranian port call.</p><p> The vessel was released after a search determined it was not planning to dock at an Iranian port, it said.</p><p> CENTCOM added that 39 vessels have been "redirected to ensure compliance" with the blockade.</p><p> Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the US-Israeli war against Iran began February 28, rattling global energy markets and raising fears of prolonged economic damage.</p><p> The blockade has resulted in ships being anchored at various ports in the region.</p><p> "Prior to the U.S. blockade on Iran, 5 ships were moored or anchored in the Iranian port of Chah Bahar on an average day. Today, more than 20 vessels remain in Chah Bahar as US forces cut off economic trade going into and coming out of Iran during the ongoing blockade," the CENTCOM said.</p><p> According to marine traffic monitoring websites, M/V Blue Star III is a container ship sailing under the flag of Comoros and was headed to the port of Sohar in Oman. PTI SKU VN VN</p><p><i>(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-marines-board-merchant-ship-in-arabian-sea-suspected-to-be-headed-to-iran-1839289

Historic Slump: Germany’s Birth Rate Hits New Low In 2025

<p><em>Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru</em></p> <p>Germany's birth rate fell to its lowest post-World War II level in 2025.</p> <p>According to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), around 655,000 live births were recorded in 2025, compared to around 680,00 in 2024.</p> <p>Last year, the country recorded more than one million deaths. This brings the birth deficit to around 350,000, setting yet another record.</p> <h2>Declining birth rates for the fourth year in Germany</h2> <p>Last year marked the fourth consecutive year of decline in the birth rate and the lowest level since 1946.</p> <p>Germany's current replacement rate is at 1.35 children per woman, which is a record low and far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.</p> <p>The Destatis attributes this trend to the entry of the relatively small birth cohorts born in the 1990s into the crucial fertile age of their early 30s, as well as the decline in the total fertility rate since 2022.</p> <p>As in previous years, the number of births in 2025 fell more sharply in the eastern German states (-4.5%) than in the western states (-3.2%) compared to 2024.</p> <p>Contrary to the trend, Hamburg was the only German state with an increase in birth rates, rising 0.5% in 2025.</p> <p>Dastatis longterm projections, which extend to 2070, found that the population could shrink by around 10%. The report concludes that immigration will not offset the decline.</p> <h2>Familienverband: Low birth rate is a 'wake-up call'</h2> <p>The German Family Association (Familienverband) has described the figures as a "dramatic wake-up call." The decline of birth rate is not a historical coincidence, but the result of decades of structural discrimination against families, Federal Executive Director Sebastian Heimann told the Evangelical Press Service on Tuesday.</p> <p>"Our social security system, particularly the statutory pension, effectively punishes parents for raising children by leaving them empty-handed in old age. Especially mothers," Heimann explained.</p> <p>Since policymakers have failed for dacades to raise benefits such as parental allowance and have ignored the specific needs of families with multiple children, they should not be surprised by falling birth rates, she added.</p> <p>She urged for a family-friendly reform of the social security system and a genuine parental pension that would put the intergenerational contract on solid ground again.</p> <p><em><strong>Disclaimer</strong>: This report first appeared on<strong> Deutsche Welle</strong>, and has been republished on <strong>ABP Live</strong> as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by <strong>ABP Live.</strong></em></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/historic-slump-germany-s-birth-rate-hits-new-low-in-2025-1839284