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Thursday, April 30, 2026

USTR retains India on priority watch list on IPR; Vietnam faces toughest scrutiny

Washington, Apr 30 (PTI): India is among six countries, including China and Russia, on the priority watch list in a special report released by the US Trade Representative on Thursday that deals with adequacy and effectiveness of trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights. The US Special 301 report 2026 lists Vietnam as the Priority Foreign Country (PFC), marking the first time in 13 years that any country is listed in that particular category. “The PFC identification is reserved by statute for countries with the most egregious IP-related acts, policies, and practices with the greatest adverse impact on relevant US products,” the USTR said. It said that Vietnam is not entering into good faith negotiations or making significant progress in negotiations to provide adequate and effective IP rights protection. The six countries on the priority watch list include Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Russia and Venezuela. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IP protection, enforcement, or market access for US persons relying on IP. There are 19 countries, including the EU, Turkiye and Pakistan, on the watch list. “Using all the enforcement tools we have to address unfair trade practices is a top priority,” said Ambassador Jamieson Greer. “We have rigorously reviewed our trading partners' IP practices and expect to take action where needed to protect American innovators and creators globally," Greer said. The US first approached Vietnam in 2020 with a proposal for an IP Work Plan to address issues identified in the Special 301 Report, followed by a revised proposal in 2023, the USTR said. However, Vietnam failed to make meaningful progress on these issues in subsequent bilateral engagement, as well as in recent negotiations for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. Vietnam’s actions or inactions are causing significant damage to the industries reliant on IP in Vietnam’s market, and in other markets as well, the USTR said. Within 30 days from the date of this identification, USTR will decide whether to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 based on the grounds identified in this report as the basis for Vietnam’s identification as a PFC. If USTR initiates an investigation, USTR will request consultations with Vietnam and seek to resolve the issues that led to Vietnam’s identification as a PFC. PTI SKU SCY SCY(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.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ustr-retains-india-on-priority-watch-list-on-ipr-vietnam-faces-toughest-scrutiny-1839727

Hindu body urges inclusion of Indian history in South African textbooks

Johannesburg, Apr 30 (PTI): A leading Hindu organisation in South Africa has urged authorities not to “airbrush” the history of Indians in the country, calling for greater representation of the community’s contributions in school textbooks currently under revision. In an open letter, South African Hindu Dharma Sabha (SAHDS) president Ram Maharaj said the history of Indians, despite the community being a minority, must be adequately reflected in curricula. “As far back as 1981, the SAHDS had adopted a unanimous resolution at its inaugural National Hindu Convention in Durban, calling for substantial inclusion of Indian history in school curricula,” he said. “The history of Indians in South Africa cannot and must not be airbrushed away in history books. We demand that the current content on the history of Indians be at least doubled across all grades, because minorities matter,” Maharaj said. The current level of representation, he alleged, is "an affront" and a "blatant erasure" of the monumental contributions Indians have made to the building of South Africa. He recalled that Indians, since arriving as indentured labourers in 1860, had contributed across economic, cultural, political and social spheres in South Africa. “To diminish this legacy in our textbooks is to diminish the truth itself," Maharaj said, adding that enhanced representation would promote interracial understanding, social cohesion and nation building. He said greater inclusion of the community’s struggles would also counter perceptions that Indians in South Africa had historically enjoyed privilege. “It must be recorded that our great indentured ancestors toiled tirelessly, and lived in slave-like conditions, incessantly suffering from torture and trauma, deprivation and discrimination. "However, down through the generations, Indians survived and thrived by prioritising educational advancement with a sense of vision and mission, turning adversity into advantage, and doing more with less," the Hindu leader said. The SAHDS has recommended that textbooks highlight the suffering and sacrifices of indentured Indians, as well as their role in the anti-apartheid struggle that led to the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first democratically-elected president. Maharaj noted that the struggle was initiated by the Natal Indian Congress, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1894, nearly two decades before the African National Congress was established. He also called for recognition of Indian figures such as the Padavatan brothers and Valliamma, as well as philanthropists, including VN Naik, ML Sultan, Narend Pattundeen, AM Moola, RK Khan, and HE Joosab, who helped establish schools and hospitals for the community. The SAHDS further sought attention to historical discrimination against Hindus during the colonial era, including the demolition of temples and forced resettlement. Maharaj said the organisation believes that a fair and accurate portrayal of Indian history would strengthen unity in diversity and foster greater harmony in South Africa. PTI FH SCY SCY(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.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/hindu-body-urges-inclusion-of-indian-history-in-south-african-textbooks-1839717

Bus Crashes Into Seine River In France, All Four On Board Rescued

A bus crashed into the Seine river in France on Thursday morning after ending up in the water in Juvisy-sur-Orge, south of Paris. The incident took place at around 9.30 am local time (8.30 GMT). <h2>All Occupants Rescued Safely</h2> The transport authority for the Île-de-France region said the four people on board, the driver, her tutor and two passengers, were rescued and are safe. <h2>Bus Floated Near Riverbank Before Recovery</h2> Later in the morning, the bus could still be seen floating in the Seine close to the riverbank before towing teams at the scene removed it from the water. Photos from the site showed the bus floating in the river while a dark blue car was also seen in the water nearby. <h2>Divers Searched Vehicle For Trapped Occupants</h2> Divers searched the bus before confirming that no one was trapped inside the vehicle. <h2>Mayor Says She Was ‘Stunned’ By Accident</h2> Juvisy Mayor Lamia Bensarsa Reda said she was “stunned” by the accident. “It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this. I think I’ve just experienced the worst day of my life. Luckily, there were no casualties thanks to the quick response of the police and emergency services,” she told French newspaper Le Parisien. <h2>Internal Probe Ordered</h2> “Our municipal police officers are on site to keep the very congested traffic flowing as smoothly as possible around the Seine riverbanks,” Reda added. In a press release, she said Île-de-France Mobilités “is asking its operator to launch an internal investigation to determine the causes of this accident as quickly as possible”. <h2>Investigation Into Cause Of Crash Expected</h2> An investigation is expected to be launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/bus-crashes-into-seine-river-in-france-all-four-on-board-rescued-1839709

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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

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. <h3>Warm Welcome In Washington, Cooler Tone In New York</h3> 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. 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. 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> <h3>Koh-i-Noor Demand Rekindles Debate</h3> 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. 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. <h3>Tribute At 9/11 Memorial</h3> Charles’ primary engagement in New York was a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. 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. 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> <h3>Brief Interaction, Unanswered Questions</h3> 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. 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.

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

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. 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. <h2>Pentagon Reveals First Official Cost Estimate</h2> 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.  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. To put the scale in perspective, the $25 billion cost matches the entire annual budget of NASA. 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> <h2>Political Heat Rises as War Costs Mount</h2> 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. 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. 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. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/sVrOYan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran To ‘Get Smart Soon’ Over Non-Nuclear Deal</a> <h2>Waning Public Support </h2> 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. The human cost has also risen, with 13 US troops killed and hundreds wounded during the conflict. 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.

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

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. 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. <h2>Trump Calls It a ‘Very Good Conversation’</h2> 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. 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. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/sVrOYan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran To ‘Get Smart Soon’ Over Non-Nuclear Deal</a> <h2>Ukraine Stalemate Persists Amid Conflicting Positions</h2> 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. During the call, Putin told Trump that Russian forces still held the initiative on the battlefield and were continuing to push back Ukrainian positions. 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. 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> <h2>Trump Urges Iran To Deal </h2> 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. 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. 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”. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8fzt9CYacM?si=hendtgjjxn0PTKLb" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

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

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. 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. <h2>What Has Changed in the Visa Process?</h2> 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. The questions are: “Have you experienced harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?” “Do you fear harm or mistreatment in returning to your country of nationality or permanent residence?” Consular officers have been instructed that applicants must verbally answer “no” to both questions for the application to proceed. 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> <h2>Why These Questions Matter</h2> 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. This effectively creates a high-stakes moment during the interview, where a single response could determine the outcome of the application. <h2>A Policy Shift Linked to Broader Crackdown</h2> 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.” 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. <h2>Concerns Over Future Legal Risks</h2> The policy raises questions about what happens if an applicant answers “no” during the visa process but later seeks asylum after entering the US. Immigration experts, as cited in the report, warn that such cases could lead to allegations of visa fraud and even deportation. The cable itself notes that a fear of returning home may cast doubt on whether the applicant’s original intent was truly temporary travel. <h2>Critics Warn of Chilling Effect</h2> The move has drawn strong criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who argue that it could undermine protections for vulnerable individuals. 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. 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.’” 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> <h2>Impact on Asylum Pathways</h2> 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. 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. 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. <h2>A New Gatekeeping Mechanism?</h2> 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. 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.

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