1 Dead After Fire Erupts In Iran's Largest Oil Refinery
A fire at Iran's oldest and largest refinery in the southwest killed one person, state media reported Sunday.
A leaky pump in an under-repair unit at Abadan refinery caused the fire on Saturday, killing a worker, according to the state-owned IRAN newspaper. Firefighters put out the blaze in two hours and operations remained unaffected, the report said.
Iran's deputy parliament speaker, Ali Nikzad, confirmed Sunday that some workers were also injured, media outlets said.
Abadan oil refinery, some 670 kilometers (nearly 416 miles) from the capital Tehran, began its operation in 1912. It is the biggest in the Islamic Republic, producing about 25% of the country's fuel with more than 5,200,000 barrels of oil refined daily.
Several fires have broken out across Iran over the past week at residential and commercial buildings, with authorities saying gas leaks and electrical short-circuiting were to blame.
Iran is one of the world's major producers of oil, though sanctions by Western countries have limited its sales.
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why has a U.S. government employee been barred from leaving China and detained for months?
A U.S. government employee from the Commerce Department has reportedly been barred from leaving China due to an alleged visa irregularity, escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing at a time when bilateral relations remain fragile. The individual, an American citizen of Chinese descent, works for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under the Department of Commerce. According to reports by The Washington Post , the man failed to disclose his affiliation with the U.S. government on his visa application while entering China. This omission, Chinese authorities claim, has led to the imposition of an exit ban, effectively preventing his return to the United States. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others Product Management Data Analytics healthcare Operations Management CXO PGDM MBA Design Thinking Technology Data Science Management Project Management Degree MCA Artificial Intelligence Leadership Cybersecurity Others Digital Marketing Data Science Public Policy Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details The U.S. State Department has not officially confirmed the identity or current location of the individual, though it has reiterated that the safety of American citizens remains a top priority. China Silent as U.S. Seeks Answers Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Monday that he had 'no information to share' regarding the individual's status. 'China is a country that upholds the rule of law and we handle all relevant cases in accordance with legal procedures,' Guo stated at a regular press briefing. The U.S. Commerce Department has not issued a formal comment on the matter, while the State Department, in response to media queries, said it had 'nothing to share' on the specifics of the case. However, it reaffirmed its broader commitment to the welfare of U.S. citizens overseas. Live Events Exit Bans Add to Mounting Tensions This incident follows a growing number of cases where U.S. citizens have been blocked from exiting China, typically citing unresolved legal matters or civil disputes. While Chinese laws allow exit bans in such circumstances, human rights observers and Western governments have raised alarm over the increasing use of such restrictions on foreign nationals, especially those involved in civil—not criminal—cases. Exit bans often go undisclosed until a person attempts to leave the country. According to U.S. officials, these practices have spurred caution among investors, global executives, and government workers planning to travel to China. The State Department's travel advisory currently urges U.S. citizens to 'exercise increased caution' in China due to the 'arbitrary enforcement of local laws,' including exit bans. Detained for Months, Movement Tracked Reports suggest the U.S. government worker has been held in China 'for months.' He was initially stopped in April in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, before being escorted to Beijing by a U.S. official, according to the South China Morning Post . His current whereabouts remain unknown. The man is a veteran of the U.S. Army and had been visiting family at the time of the travel. This marks the first publicly known case of a U.S. government-affiliated employee being blocked from leaving China. Under Chinese laws, foreigners can face travel restrictions during civil litigation or while under criminal investigation, even in the absence of formal charges. Most exit bans in recent years have involved civil disputes rather than accusations of criminal wrongdoing. Similar Cases Add to Anxiety Just last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chenyue Mao, a Wells Fargo executive of Chinese descent, was also subjected to an exit ban. The bank subsequently imposed travel restrictions on its staff regarding China. Beijing, for its part, stated that Mao was 'involved in a criminal case' and was cooperating with authorities. The rise in such incidents has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers. John Moolenaar, Republican Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, expressed alarm over the recent developments. 'I am gravely concerned by what appears to be another case of CCP hostage diplomacy,' he said. 'This is a tactic, not a coincidence—and it's unacceptable. The freedom of all Americans must remain a top priority.' Diplomatic Stakes Amid Trade Frictions The incident unfolds against the backdrop of mounting economic tensions between the United States and China. President Donald Trump has set an August 12 deadline for Beijing to agree to new trade terms or face additional tariffs. Currently, Chinese goods face a cumulative U.S. tariff rate of 55 percent, along with a 10 percent tax on all imports. In response, China has condemned what it describes as U.S. 'bullying' and warned of retaliatory measures. Despite the war of words, Trump has spoken positively of Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently indicated that the two leaders are likely to meet later this year, although a formal announcement is yet to be made. When asked whether a Trump-Xi summit was being planned, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declined to comment, stating, 'No information to provide currently.' What Lies Ahead for the U.S. Worker It remains unclear how long the exit ban on the U.S. Commerce Department employee will last. Previous cases in China have seen travel bans remain in effect for extended periods while investigations are underway, often without a clear legal resolution. Experts suggest that this case could become a critical point of discussion in diplomatic negotiations between the two countries, particularly in the run-up to any potential summit between the heads of state. A source familiar with the situation told The Washington Post , 'No administration wants an American rolled up in China at the end of the day. The message was delivered at an extremely high level for the Chinese to let him go.' Calls for Transparency and Accountability Legal experts and international rights advocates have called for increased transparency in how exit bans are administered. 'These are legal black holes,' said one analyst, 'where people can be caught in limbo for months without formal charges, hearings, or recourse.' The U.S. government continues to caution its citizens to fully disclose employment history and other relevant details when applying for visas to countries with strict entry and exit regulations, including China. For now, the case of the detained U.S. worker serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential risks facing American citizens abroad—especially in countries where diplomatic and legal frameworks differ significantly from those in the U.S. FAQs Why has a U.S. government employee been barred from leaving China? The U.S. Commerce Department employee, reportedly from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, was barred due to an alleged visa irregularity—specifically, failing to disclose his U.S. government affiliation on his visa application. What is the nationality and background of the individual involved? The individual is an American citizen of Chinese descent and a U.S. Army veteran. He was reportedly visiting family in China at the time of the incident.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Changing aspirations of Indian students and the global education shift
Over the past decade, the aspirations of Indian students regarding higher education have undergone a quiet but profound transformation. Students today are navigating a dynamic and more complex educational ecosystem, both within India and across borders, shaped by globalisation, technology, policy reforms, and shifting social values. College (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Earlier, studying abroad was largely a privilege of the few—often driven by aspirations of Western exposure, a better quality of life, or job opportunities in developed economies. The destination countries were limited to a few Anglophone nations, and disciplines like engineering, medicine, and computer science dominated the choices. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. Indian students are now considering a much wider range of countries—Germany, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and even countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. This is not only because of affordability and policy shifts favouring international students but also due to the rising awareness of diverse career paths and better information access. Interestingly, the motivations behind studying abroad are evolving. While earlier generations pursued foreign education primarily as a springboard to permanent migration, today's students are more nuanced in their goals. Many seek short-term international exposure through exchange programmes, dual degrees, or professional certifications, intending to return to India with global skills. Others are drawn by specific research opportunities, entrepreneurial ecosystems, or social impact sectors rather than merely financial returns. The very concept of 'success' is being redefined—from high-paying tech jobs abroad to creative careers, sustainable development work, or contributing to social change back home. Simultaneously, the aspirations of Indian students within the country are also shifting. A growing number of students now prefer to stay in India due to the expanding scope and quality of domestic institutions. The emergence of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Law Universities (NLUs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has created world-class opportunities within national borders. This trend is partly a reflection of changing socio-economic dynamics. Education is no longer viewed only as a means to upward mobility but increasingly as a space for personal growth, innovation, and societal contribution. Urban youth, especially in metros and tier-1 cities, are exploring humanities, design, media studies, psychology, environmental studies, and gender studies—areas that were once dismissed in favour of science and commerce. The rigidity of 'doctor-engineer-CA' pathways is loosening, replaced by an openness to uncharted careers. This has been catalysed by a new generation of Indian educators, ed-tech platforms, startup culture, and exposure to global trends via digital media. At the same time, India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has aimed to fundamentally reshape the higher education sector, encouraging multidisciplinary learning, skill integration, critical thinking, and global academic collaboration. The policy's long-term vision is to make Indian institutions globally competitive, reduce rote learning, and align curricula with the needs of the 21st-century workforce. For students, this opens up the possibility of getting an international-style education within India at a fraction of the cost. The pandemic further accelerated this dual transformation. On one hand, it disrupted traditional international student flows due to travel restrictions and uncertainties. On the other, it triggered a mass adoption of online and hybrid learning models, making international faculty, courses, and certifications accessible from one's bedroom in Mumbai or Patna. It levelled the playing field to an extent, allowing Indian students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to participate in global knowledge systems. Institutions across the world began to offer online master's programmes, bootcamps, and micro-credentials, breaking the monopoly of physical mobility on international education. What stands out today is the rise of agency among Indian students. Empowered by technology, access to peer experiences, and social media, they are more informed, more vocal, and more strategic in their decisions than ever before. They consider cost-benefit analyses, visa regulations, cultural compatibility, work rights, and mental health support systems before choosing institutions—whether in India or abroad. Parental influence, once absolute, is increasingly balanced with personal vision and individual choice. Moreover, the global shift in education is not just about where students go, but also how and what they learn. Traditional lecture-based teaching is giving way to experiential learning, project-based curricula, and interdisciplinary approaches. There is a growing emphasis on skills like emotional intelligence, adaptability, digital literacy, and sustainability—attributes that transcend degrees and align with global citizenship. Indian students, whether studying in Bengaluru or Berlin, are gradually embracing these paradigms. Whether studying in India or abroad, students are redefining education as not just a ladder to prosperity but as a journey towards purpose. In this changing global educational scenario, India stands at a threshold—not only as a source of global talent but also as a rising hub of knowledge, innovation, and transformation. This article is authored by Vinu Warrier, founder and managing partner, eduVelocity Global.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
How BRICS is chipping away at the Western order
The recent 2025 BRICS summit, held in Brazil, did not appear dramatic on the surface. There were no loud declarations or confrontations. However, the agenda was quietly ambitious, and the message it sent was unmistakable – the West no longer has a monopoly on how the world should work. BRICS is quietly rewriting some of the rules of global politics. From de-dollarisation to alternative development models, it is increasingly positioning itself as a challenger to the Western-led liberal international order. One of the fundamental starting points in international relations is the simple truth that there is no world government. Countries can agree on rules, but no one can force them to follow them. This is what some international relations scholars call an 'anarchic system,' not because it's disorderly, but because there is no overarching authority to enforce rules. Countries act in their own interests. Cooperation happens, but it's often fragile. Power matters. Strong states often do what they can. Weak ones suffer what they must (Recall the Melian Dialogue from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War). Power is distributed unevenly, and when a few countries have more of it, they tend to shape the rules in their favour. The Western-led liberal international order grew out of this system after World War II. The US, along with its allies, built a network of institutions, like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, that reflected its values and priorities. This order was based on free markets, democracy, and above all, the dominance of the US dollar in global finance. For a while, that order worked – at least for the West. But now, the rest of the world is starting to ask why a system created in 1945 should still define the rules of the 21st century. For a long time, emerging powers like Brazil, China, India, and South Africa largely accepted this structure. However, with the global economic landscape shifting and the world becoming more multipolar, they are pushing back. BRICS is the most visible platform for that push. One of the loudest messages from the BRICS summit in Brazil was about de-dollarisation. It sounds technical, but it's deeply political. This idea has been gaining ground for some years, but recent events, especially the weaponisation of financial systems through sanctions, have brought it to the forefront. The issue is that most global trade and finance depend on the US dollar. When India buys oil from Russia, it usually has to pay in dollars. When Brazil takes a loan, it often does so in dollars. When China invests abroad, the transaction typically moves through dollar-based systems like SWIFT. This gives the US not just financial influence but also political leverage. At the Brazil summit, countries once again floated the idea of a BRICS currency – not an immediate project, but a signal of intent. In the meantime, they are promoting trade in local currencies. Russia and China already conduct over 80 per cent of their trade in Roubles and Yuan. India has begun using rupees for some transactions with Iran and Sri Lanka. India and the UAE have begun settling some oil deals in rupees and dirhams. The New Development Bank, created by BRICS, is now issuing loans in local currencies to avoid dollar exposure. This is not just about saving on transaction costs. It's about creating freedom from a system that many in the Global South see as tilted against them. This is not going to be easy. The US dollar dominates because it is stable, widely accepted, and backed by a deep financial system. But the fact that BRICS countries keep returning to this topic shows how deep the frustration runs. De-dollarisation may not happen overnight, but the intent is clear – reduce exposure to a system controlled by Washington. BRICS claims to be a platform for those countries that didn't have a seat at the table when the post-war world order was designed. The group presents itself as a voice for the Global South. It talks about fairer development, more inclusive trade rules, and reforms in global institutions. It also backs concrete alternatives. The NDB offers loans without the political strings often attached to IMF or World Bank funding. BRICS countries are exploring joint investments in infrastructure and clean energy. There's talk of creating a BRICS rating agency to counter the dominance of Western credit rating firms. BRICS also pushes for reforms in the UN Security Council and the World Bank's voting rules to give more voice to emerging powers. Here, Brazil, India, and South Africa play a bridging role. They are democracies with growing economies, often seen as more acceptable faces of BRICS to other developing countries. China brings deep pockets and strategic weight. Russia, increasingly isolated from the West, is strengthening its ties with non-Western partners. This effort to build new platforms and institutions reflects a shared frustration that the rules of the global system are often written elsewhere, by people who don't face the same challenges as those in the Global South. Together, BRICS is trying to change not just policies but also the narrative about what kind of development is legitimate and who should lead. Notably, international relations theory can help us understand why the BRICS came about, what it aims for, and why it matters. Realism Realism, one of the oldest schools of international relations, sees power as the main force shaping global affairs. States act primarily in their own interest. Institutions and alliances matter only if they help countries protect or expand their power. From this perspective, BRICS is not a community of like-minded nations but a strategic arrangement – a balancing act against Western dominance. When Russia promotes de-dollarisation or China supports the NDB, they are not guided by ideals of fairness or cooperation. They are responding to the realities of power politics. A good example of this logic came after the US froze Russian central bank assets following the Ukraine war. Many countries saw how exposed they were if their reserves were held in dollars. The concern wasn't ethical. It was practical. It was about survival. Liber theory On the other hand, liberal theory, which posits that cooperation is possible and institutions matter, would argue that if the global order is unfair, countries will attempt to establish new institutions. That's exactly what BRICS is doing by creating alternatives to Western-run systems, not through war, but through investment, banking, and trade. It believes that the way to change the system is to create better alternatives within it. The NDB isn't just a protest against the World Bank. It's a real bank giving loans, financing projects, and developing regulations. That's classic liberal theory in action – solving global problems through cooperative institutions. Constructivism Constructivist theorists go a step further. They argue that power is not just about money or military strength, but about ideas. It's also about whose story is seen as legitimate. BRICS challenges the idea that Western liberal democracy is the only valid model of progress. It says there are many ways to grow and that the West doesn't have a moral monopoly. BRICS is trying to shape new meanings about sovereignty, about development, about who gets to lead. It wants to change how the world imagines power, not just how it distributes it. When BRICS leaders speak of 'mutual respect' and 'non-interference,' they are offering a different political culture – one that appeals to countries tired of lectures from the West about democracy and governance. Whether this rhetoric matches reality is debatable, but the narrative matters. These theoretical perspectives are not mutually exclusive views. They all help explain why BRICS is doing what it's doing and why the West is starting to take it more seriously. However, none of this means that the Western-led order is collapsing. The US dollar still dominates global trade and finance. Western-led institutions still make the rules. The US still has unmatched military power. Western technology and capital continue to dominate global supply chains. At the same time, BRICS has its own internal differences. China and India are locked in border tensions. Russia is diplomatically isolated. Brazil and South Africa are wary of being seen as backing an anti-Western front. The NDB is still small compared to the World Bank. However, the system is no longer a one-way street. Something is shifting. The fact that major economies are even talking about bypassing the dollar or creating their own financial systems was unthinkable two decades ago. The fact that they are acting on it, even though cautiously, means the world is entering a new phase. This isn't about tearing down the West. It's about making space for the rest. The BRICS summit in Brazil didn't create headlines because it didn't need to. It was not designed to shock. It was designed to show that the world is no longer waiting for change from the West. It is building change elsewhere. One of the fundamental starting points in international relations is the simple truth that there is no world government, prompting some international relations scholars to call the international system 'anarchic'. Comment. How is BRICS rewriting some of the rules of global politics, and increasingly positioning itself as a challenger to the Western-led liberal international order? BRICS is trying to shape new meanings about sovereignty, about development, about who gets to lead. It wants to change how the world imagines power, not just how it distributes it. Evaluate. By claiming to be a platform for those countries that didn't have a seat at the table when the post-war world order was designed, BRICS presents itself as a voice for the Global South. Do you agree? How do theoretical perspectives, realist, liberal, and constructivist, help explain why the BRICS came about, what it aims for, and why the West is starting to take it more seriously? (The author is a Professor at MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
