Pakistan, India edge closer to US trade deals
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the country is “very close” to a trade deal with the US after meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though Washington has not confirmed a timeline. Both sides discussed expanding trade, especially in critical minerals and mining, according to Firstpost.
Meanwhile, India and the US are finalizing the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement aimed at boosting market access, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening supply chains. US President Donald Trump recently said a deal with India is also “very close.”
Modi reaffirms stronger ties with Maldives
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and other top leaders during his visit to the Maldives, calling the country a “valued pillar” of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Mahasagar vision, Firstpost reported.
He will attend the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations as chief guest. The visit marks a reset in ties following recent tensions.
India announced a $565m line of credit and signed six agreements in fisheries, digital infrastructure, meteorology, and finance. The two sides also agreed to cut Maldives’ annual debt repayment burden by 40 percent, according to Firstpost.
Modi called the talks productive, adding, “Our relations are older than history and as deep as the ocean. For us, it is always friendship first.”
Gaza faces worsening hunger crisis, UN warns
Nearly one in three people in Gaza are going days without food, the UN’s World Food Programme has warned, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition.
Nine more people reportedly died of hunger on Friday, bringing the total to 122 since the war began. While Israel denies restricting aid, access remains limited, worsening the crisis, according to BBC.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain may join planned aid airdrops, though aid groups warn they are not a long-term solution. Jordan and the UAE are also awaiting clearance to deliver supplies.
The UN and several countries have urged Israel to lift restrictions immediately, calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza unacceptable. UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the global inaction and lack of compassion, BBC reported.
Border clashes between Cambodia, Thailand enter third day
At least 13 Cambodians were killed and 71 injured in ongoing border clashes with Thai forces, Cambodian officials confirmed Saturday. The fighting, now in its third day, reportedly began when Cambodian troops opened fire near Thailand’s Trat province, according to Xinhua.
Five Cambodian soldiers and eight civilians were killed, with most casualties in Oddar Meanchey province. Thailand responded with a military operation, “Trat Strike 1,” pushing back Cambodian forces at multiple points and deploying naval support.
The conflict has since spread to Cambodia’s Pursat province, as tensions along the border continue to rise, Xinhua reported.
