US slaps sanctions on Iran oil smuggling network fuelling Hezbollah and militants
A separate set of sanctions also targeted a financial institution tied to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group designated as a terrorist organisation by the US.Iranian oil exports have been under severe restrictions due to Iran's nuclear ambitions and its support for proxy groups across the Middle East.According to a 2023 Reuters investigation, a fuel-oil smuggling network flourishing in Iraq since 2022 generates at least $1 billion a year for Iran and its proxies — funds the US now seeks to freeze.Thursday's sanctions came after the US carried out strikes on June 22 on three Iranian nuclear sites including its most deeply buried enrichment plant, Fordow. The Pentagon said on Wednesday the strikes had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, despite a far more cautious initial assessment that had leaked to the public.The US and Iran are expected to hold indirect talks in Oslo next week to discuss Iran's nuclear programme — though tensions over oil smuggling, sanctions, and recent military actions could overshadow the dialogue.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersMust Watch
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Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rio to host BRICS summit wary of Donald Trump; China's Jinping to be absent
A summit of BRICS nations will convene in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday and Monday, with members hoping to weigh in on global crises while tiptoeing around US President Donald Trump 's policies. The city, with beefed-up security, will play host to leaders and diplomats from 11 emerging economies including China, India, Russia and South Africa, which represent nearly half of the world's population and 40 percent of its GDP . Brazil's left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will have to navigate the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping , who will miss the summit for the first time. Beijing will instead be represented by its Prime Minister Li Qiang . Russian leader Vladimir Putin , who is facing a pending International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, will not travel to Brazil, but is set to participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. Live Events Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian , fresh from a 12-day conflict with Israel and a skirmish with the United States , will also be absent, as will his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, a Brazilian government source told AFP. Tensions in the Middle East, including Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, will weigh on the summit, as well as the grim anticipation of tariffs threatened by Trump due next week. 'Cautious' "We're anticipating a summit with a cautious tone: it will be difficult to mention the United States by name in the final declaration," Marta Fernandez, director of the BRICS Policy Center at Rio's Pontifical Catholic University told AFP. China, for example, "is trying to adopt a restrained position on the Middle East", Fernandez said, pointing out that Beijing was also in tricky tariff negotiations with Washington. "This doesn't seem to be the right time to provoke further friction" between the world's two leading economies, the researcher said. BRICS members did not issue a strong statement on the Iran-Israel conflict and subsequent US military strikes due to their "diverging" interests, according to Oliver Stuenkel, an international relations professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. Brazil nevertheless hopes that countries can take a common stand at the summit, including on the most sensitive issues. "BRICS (countries), throughout their history, have managed to speak with one voice on major international issues, and there's no reason why that shouldn't be the case this time on the subject of the Middle East," Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told AFP. 'Multilateralism' However, talks on finding an alternative to the dollar for trade between BRICS members are likely dead in the water. For Fernandez, it is almost "forbidden" to mention the idea within the group since Trump threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on countries that challenge the dollar's international dominance. Brazil, which in 2030 will host the COP30 UN climate conference, also hopes to find unity on the fight against climate change. Artificial intelligence and global governance reform will also be on the menu. "The escalation of the Middle East conflict reinforces the urgency of the debate on the need to reform global governance and strengthen multilateralism," said foreign minister Vieira. Since 2023, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia have joined the BRICS, formed in 2009 as a counter-balance to leading Western economies. But, as Fernandez points out, this expansion "makes it all the more difficult to build a strong consensus."
India Today
27 minutes ago
- India Today
Russia launches 550 drones, missiles at Kyiv in largest attack since start of war
Ukraine's air force on Friday said that Russia launched 550 drones and missiles at the war-battered country in an overnight attack. The latest aerial assault, the largest since the start of the war, by the Kremlin comes as peace talks led by the United States have of drone and missile attacks targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv overnight, injuring 23 people and inflicting damage across multiple districts of the air force said that the majority of them were Shahed drones and around 11 missiles were used in the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also shared an update on the recent attack on X and highlighted that 'the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin.'Firefighting efforts and debris removal are still ongoing after another Russian strike. This was one of the most large-scale air attacks – deliberately massive and cynical. In total, 550 targets were launched, including at least 330 Russian-Iranian 'shaheds', along with missiles, Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) July 4, 2025According to an Associated Press report, the constant buzzing of drones overhead was heard throughout the night along with the sound of explosions and intense machine gun fire as Kyiv tried to intercept the aerial Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the Ukrainian capital was the primary target of the overnight attack, in which at least 23 people were injured, with 14 added that the security forces shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, while as many as 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones, as per an Associated Press report. Additionally, debris from intercepted drones fell across at least 33 massive attack on Kyiv comes hours after US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on may be noted that it has been less than a week since Moscow's previous largest aerial assault in the ongoing war. Earlier, Kyiv had reported that Russia fired 537 drones, decoys and 60 missiles in that attack.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Ukraine#Russia
United News of India
29 minutes ago
- United News of India
Modi announces OCI cards for 6th generation of Indian diaspora in T&T
Port of Spain/New Delhi, July 4 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will be issued to citizens of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago, extending up to the sixth generation. This move will allow them to live and work in India without restrictions. PM Modi lauded the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural richness, and significant contributions to Trinidad & Tobago. He also acknowledged the community's continued efforts to preserve Indian cultural traditions. To further strengthen these bonds, Prime Minister announced that OCI cards would now be issued to the 6th generation of the people of Indian origin people of Trinidad & Tobago. This special gesture was greeted with loud applause. Prime Minister also underscored that the Government of India would be supporting several initiatives to nurture the 'Girmitiya' legacy. Girmitiya was the name given those Indians who left the country in the middle and 19th century to serve as labour in the then British colonies "Our decision on the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago being issued OCI cards will strengthen their connection to India and preserve our shared heritage for future generations," PM Modi said. Addressing the Indian community in Port of Spain during his first visit to the Caribbean country as Prime Minister, PM Modi underlined the deep emotional and cultural ties that bind India with its diaspora. "Today, I'm happy to announce that the OCI cards will be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. We aren't just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India welcomes, and India embraces you!" PM Modi said. PM Modi called upon the people of Indian origin to visit their ancestral land and deepen their connection and roots with India and not just be connected virtually via social media. "I encourage all of you to visit India more in person, and not just virtually via social media. Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children and neighbours. Bring anyone who enjoys 'Chai' and a good story. We will welcome all of you with open arms, warm hearts and Jalebi," he said. PM Modi also congratulated Trinidad and Tobago for becoming the first country in the region to adopt India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. "I congratulate Trinidad and Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI. Now, sending money will be as easy as sending a Good Morning text message. I promise it will be faster than the bowling of the West Indies," he said. Highlighting India's rapid growth, PM Modi said the country has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy and has successfully lifted millions out of poverty. "India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Soon, we will be among the top three economies of the world. The fruits of India's growth and progress are reaching the most needy. India has proved that we can defeat poverty by empowering the poor... The World Bank has noted that India has lifted over 250 million people above extreme poverty in the last decade. India's growth is being powered by our innovative and energetic youth," he said. Prime Minister outlined India's rapid development and transformation in the fields of infrastructure, digital technologies, manufacturing, green pathways, space, innovation and start-ups. He highlighted that in the last one-decade India has made significant strides in promoting inclusive growth with over 250 million people lifted out of extreme poverty. Highlighting various aspects of India's growth story, he noted that the country would soon be among the top three economies in the world. Prime Minister stressed, "National Missions on AI, Semiconductor and Quantum Computing were becoming new engines of the country's growth. Underlining the success of UPI based digital payments in India, he expressed optimism that its adoption in Trinidad & Tobago would be equally encouraging. Reflecting on India's age-old philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , meaning the world is one family, vividly demonstrated during the Covid pandemic, he offered continued support to T&T in its pursuit of progress and nation making." The grand event was attended by over 4000 people and featured a captivating cultural programme performed by the artistes from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and other organizations. UNI AAB RKM
