Israel says it has intercepted missile fired from Yemen
The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israel that triggered sirens in several areas in the country.
The Iran-aligned Houthis who control northern Yemen have been firing at Israel and attacking shipping lanes, in what the group says is solidarity with the Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war.
Most of the dozens of missiles and drones they have launched have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes.
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Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Pak, Iran agree to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually
Pakistan and Iran on Sunday agreed to enhance bilateral trade volume to $10 billion from the current $3 billion annually as they signed 12 agreements and MoUs after talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Prime Minister Sharif announced the new bilateral trade target while addressing a joint press meeting with President Pezeshkian after their talks during which they also agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat militancy along their shared border, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The agreement to enhance bilateral trade volume to $10 billion was reached earlier in the morning during a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak. Sharif also said that Iran has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, which had been at the heart of the current conflict with Israel. Pakistan stands with Iran for the acquisition of peaceful nuclear power, Sharif said as he condemned recent Israeli attacks against Iran and appreciated Tehran for its forceful defence of the country. Pakistan and Iran exchanged 12 agreements and MoUs in the presence of Sharif and Pezeshkian. These included cooperation in trade, agriculture, science, technology and innovation, information and communications, and maritime safety, among other issues, the APP said. Prime Minister Sharif on Sunday said that the leadership of Pakistan and Iran were keen to enhance the bilateral trade volume to the target of $10 billion as soon as possible, the APP said. The two leaders also discussed issues related to terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat militancy along their shared border, it said. On his part, Pezeshkian said that the MoUs signed included one about finalisation of the free trade agreement at the earliest between the two sides. President Pezeshkian expressed satisfaction that serious and sincere efforts were being initiated by both sides for cooperation in diverse fields, and to take their current trade volume of $3 billion to the projected target of $10 billion, the APP said. President Pezeshkian landed in Lahore on Saturday afternoon and flew to the capital later in the evening. Meanwhile, after Khan's meeting with Atabak, a statement by Pakistan's Commerce Ministry said the high-level discussion between the two leaders marked a renewed commitment from both sides to accelerate trade, remove border bottlenecks, and build trust-based partnerships across priority sectors. The meeting emphasised maximising the potential of neighbourhood trade, with Khan highlighting how ASEAN countries have benefited enormously by trading within their region. Geography is an advantage. Pakistan and Iran must utilise this discount of distance. If we don't, we lose both time and cost benefits, he stated. The Pakistani minister suggested organising targetted trade delegations that include representatives from federal and provincial chambers of commerce, enabling focused discussions on market access and regulatory facilitation, according to the statement. The ministers also expressed a shared commitment to increasing the use of existing trade corridors and border facilities. Atabak also highlighted ongoing discussions about increasing Pakistani exports to Iran and encouraged swift follow-up on newly signed agreements. Khan said that beyond bilateral gains, such connectivity could expand to Turkey, Central Asia, Russia, and even parts of West Asia, creating an economic bloc of substantial power and resilience. Atabak supported the idea of holding a dedicated B2B day during every high-level visit and offered to bring Iranian business groups to Pakistan for in-depth meetings, the statement said. Both ministers agreed on the importance of identifying specific sectors such as agriculture, livestock, services, energy, and cross-border logistics for future collaboration, the statement said. With high-level political alignment and mutual trust, Pakistan and Iran appear poised to enter a new phase of strategic economic partnership that could reshape regional trade dynamics, it added. Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research, a policy think tank in Islamabad, said the total volume of formal bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran reached around $2.3 billion in 2022, with the trade balance largely tilted towards Iran. Iranian exports to Pakistan stood at $1.488 billion, mainly petroleum gas, electricity and petroleum coke. Pakistan's exports to Iran amounted to $842.8 million, primarily comprising Iron pipes, medical instruments and utility meters, it said in a September 2024 brief titled 'Pakistan and Iran's Struggle for Economic Cooperation'. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US and Israeli officials float idea of 'all or nothing' Gaza deal
For months, the Israeli government had focused on negotiating a two-phased deal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of some hostages, leaving discussions about a permanent end to the war for a later stage. With the talks now at an impasse, U.S. and Israeli officials appear to be sharply changing their tone by signaling that they will push for a comprehensive deal. But Israel and Hamas remain far apart, and analysts said this new approach would also face steep challenges. The shift, at least in rhetoric, comes as the Israeli government faces rising domestic pressure to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Israel believes that about 20 are still alive and that the bodies of 30 others remain in the enclave. Videos released over the weekend showed two living captives looking emaciated and frail, shocking many Israelis and sparking fear among the hostages' families. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo The Israeli government has also come under mounting international criticism over the mass hunger that has spread through Gaza's population of about 2 million people after Israel imposed strict restrictions in recent months on the entry of aid. Israel has continued launching military strikes on Gaza, even as it has facilitated the entry of more aid into Gaza in recent days. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said on Sunday that Israeli artillery had hits its offices in Khan Younis, killing one of the aid group's staffers and injuring others. The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Live Events Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration's special envoy to the Middle East, who is visiting the region, met with families of Israeli hostages on Saturday and told them that President Donald Trump now wants to see all the living hostages released at once. "No piecemeal deals, that doesn't work," he said, according to an audio recording of part of the meeting published by the Ynet Hebrew news site. "Now we think that we have to shift this negotiation to 'all or nothing' -- everybody comes home," he said. "We have a plan around it," he added, without elaborating. A participant in the meeting confirmed that Witkoff made such remarks. Israel and Hamas do not negotiate directly. Instead, negotiations for a ceasefire between the two sides have run through intermediaries: the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Trump are said to be working on a new proposal that would involve presenting Hamas with an ultimatum, according to reports in the Israeli news media that were confirmed Sunday by a person familiar with the matter. The White House was not immediately available for comment. Under the terms of the ultimatum, Hamas would have to release the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and agree to terms to end the war that include the group's disarmament. Otherwise, the Israeli military would continue its campaign. Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, said the Palestinian armed group had yet to receive a formal Israeli proposal for a comprehensive deal from Arab mediators. He said that while Hamas supported such an agreement in principle, it would not disarm -- which has long been a core Israeli condition. "This has been our demand from the beginning: an end to the war, the release of prisoners, and day-after arrangements in the Gaza Strip -- a clear and comprehensive deal," Mardawi said in a phone interview. The prospects of any rapid advancement toward such a deal appear dim. Hamas has consistently rejected Israel's terms for ending the war throughout the negotiations. On Saturday, the group said in a statement that it would not disarm unless a Palestinian state was established, despite a call from Arab states last week for the group to do so. The Israeli government opposes Palestinian statehood. On Sunday, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli national security minister, visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which Jews revere as the Temple Mount, long a tinderbox for Israeli-Palestinian tensions. "It's important to convey from this place that we should immediately conquer Gaza, exercise our sovereignty there, and eliminate every last Hamas member," Ben-Gvir said from the site, in a video shared by his office. Many Israelis say they support a comprehensive deal to return all the hostages and end the war. But many are skeptical that such a deal can be achieved under the conditions set by the hard-line Israeli government, which has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas surrenders or is destroyed. Given the firm positions of both sides, an Israeli and American push for a comprehensive deal may not bring an agreement closer, according to analysts. "Hamas is essentially saying to Israel: 'If you want the 20 living hostages out, give us a full victory,'" said Ehud Yaari, an Israel-based fellow of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, an independent research group. Hamas' terms are far beyond what Netanyahu would accept, Yaari said. But, he added, the prime minister "has to keep convincing the Israeli public and his own voters that he is doing everything he can, and he has to reassure the families of the hostages." Efrat Machikawa, a relative of a released hostage, said that reports attributed to anonymous Israeli officials about there being a comprehensive deal on the table were "empty slogans." "The preconditions set by Israel are unrealistic and unworkable," she said, speaking at a rally Saturday in Tel Aviv. Mardawi said that Hamas saw little reason to negotiate with Israel given the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. "What is the point of talks when people are dying of starvation?" he said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Attacks on Indian migrants are against Ireland's values
India and Ireland share deep historical and cultural roots that have allowed our two countries, despite our vastly different sizes, to form close and enduring bonds. Today, India and Ireland share a relationship built on shared values and strong educational and economic ties. Central to this are the tens of thousands of Indian nationals who call Ireland home. Outside of citizens from the UK or EU, Indians account for the largest migrant population in Ireland. Ireland has long prided itself on its warm welcome and hospitality. The overwhelming majority of Irish people welcome migrants into their society, workplaces, and homes. (ANI Photo) The Indian community is an integral and valued part of Irish society. Indians living in Ireland are contributing immensely to our economy, our education and health care sectors, our research institutions, and our cultural life. From IT professionals and scientists, to doctors, nurses, students and entrepreneurs, Indians are helping to shape our present and our future. Their contribution is not only recognised — it is appreciated and celebrated. That is why Ireland has been so stunned by a number of recent assaults on Indians living in Dublin, our capital city. These assaults have been widely reported, both in Ireland and India, and have rightly caused deep concern across both our nations. As Ireland's ambassador to India, I wish to express our strongest condemnation of these appalling and senseless acts. These attacks — carried out by a small number of young people fuelled by misinformation — are deeply at odds with the values of the Irish people. I understand that each incident reported to Ireland's national police service is being investigated rigorously, with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring that justice will be served for the victims. The Irish embassy in New Delhi and the Irish foreign ministry in Dublin are in close and continuous contact with the Indian embassy in Dublin to share updates and express our support for affected individuals. We understand the anxiety and concern that these recent incidents have caused, both among Indians living in Ireland and their families back home in India. We are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness. These mindless actions could not be further from the values Ireland holds dear. They have generated widespread outrage across Irish society. They are not representative of who the Irish are as a people or as a country. Following a recent assault on an Indian man in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght, the local community responded by holding a rally attended by hundreds of people showing their solidarity with their Indian neighbours. Shamrock Rovers, Ireland's largest and most successful football club, invited members of the Indian community as special guests to their UEFA Conference League match at Tallaght Stadium. This initiative sent a strong, unambiguous message: Hate has no home in Ireland. The gesture by Shamrock Rovers embodied the Ireland we know — a country rooted in decency, openness and respect. Ireland has long been a nation shaped by migration. Five million people live in Ireland, but around the world, 70 million people claim Irish heritage. We are a migrant nation. This history has made us deeply aware of the immigrant experience and instilled in us a lasting commitment to inclusion and empathy. We are proud of the growing Indian diaspora in Ireland and want to see them live in safety, prosperity, and with a sense of belonging. That is, I strongly believe, the experience of the overwhelming number of migrants, from India and elsewhere, in Ireland. Ireland has long prided itself on its warm welcome and hospitality. The overwhelming majority of Irish people welcome migrants into their society, workplaces, and homes. The emergence over recent years of a tiny — but sadly vocal — anti-immigrant movement, largely fuelled by online misinformation, is a new phenomenon for us. We are grappling with it. Thankfully, the vast majority of people utterly reject their attempts to sow division. There is virtually no public support for their manifesto of hate. The hateful actions of a few must never overshadow the goodwill of the many. Let us not allow the voices of division to drown out the voices of friendship, solidarity and respect. The people of Ireland stand with the Indian community and will continue to stand firmly against racism in all its forms. Kevin Kelly is Ireland's ambassador to India. The views expressed are personal.
