US President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude to India after a road near the US Consulate in Hyderabad was named “Donald Trump Avenue,” calling the gesture a special honour. In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked India for the recognition and said he was the first US President to receive such an honour. He described the naming of the road as a memorable moment and appreciated the gesture.

The ceremonial unveiling of the plaque marking “Donald Trump Avenue” was held during the “Freedom 250” celebration in Hyderabad, organised to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka jointly unveiled the plaque during the event.

The celebration brought together senior diplomats, government officials, and representatives from various sectors, including business, aerospace, defence, and technology. The Telangana government said the special designation reflects the strong and growing relationship between India and the United States while recognising Hyderabad’s contribution to bilateral cooperation.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and US Consul General in Hyderabad Laura Williams were also present at the ceremony. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Sergio Gor highlighted Hyderabad’s rising importance in the India-US partnership. He pointed to the city’s progress in sectors such as technology, aerospace, and defence, saying it represents the expanding momentum of cooperation between the two countries.

He also spoke about increasing economic collaboration between India and the US, noting that ongoing initiatives are expected to encourage major investments and further strengthen ties. The naming of the road has been presented as a symbol of friendship and growing engagement between the two nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that Israel must completely withdraw from Lebanese territory, claiming that the ongoing regional conflict has entered a new stage with what he described as the defeat of the “Israeli-American project.” Speaking at the Central Ashura Council in Beirut, Qassem portrayed recent developments as a major shift in the regional balance and a success for the resistance movement. He said attempts to weaken Hezbollah had failed, claiming that the group had overcome efforts aimed at destroying it.

“We have broken the Israeli-American project and entered a new phase,” Qassem said, according to Press TV. Discussing the future of Israel-Lebanon relations, the Hezbollah leader called for an end to military actions and violations of Lebanese sovereignty. He insisted that Israel must stop attacks and withdraw its forces from Lebanese land, air, and maritime areas.

Qassem also accused Israel of pursuing expansionist ambitions, saying Hezbollah emerged as a response to what he described as occupation and aggression. He credited the group’s military capabilities to years of resistance and support from Iran, claiming that this had created a strong deterrent against Israeli operations.

He further described a recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding as a major setback for Washington and Tel Aviv, calling it evidence of the failure of their policies in the region. Qassem praised Iran’s leadership and resilience, saying the country was playing a key role in shaping regional developments.

Israeli military operations have continued in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had killed six Hezbollah members, alleging they posed a threat to Israeli troops operating in the area. The IDF stated that the strikes were carried out after identifying armed individuals in locations including Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Ali al-Taher Ridge. At the same time, diplomatic discussions are reportedly underway in Washington involving Lebanese and Israeli representatives over possible arrangements in southern Lebanon. The proposed framework reportedly focuses on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas and the deployment of the Lebanese army in their place.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between India and South Korea, highlighting the shared potential of both nations across several sectors, which he described as opportunities ranging "from ships to chips." He said such collaboration could play an important role in building a more stable, resilient and cooperative global system. Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 during his two-day visit to South Korea, Jaishankar addressed the challenges of an increasingly fragmented world. He said the global community must acknowledge this new reality while also creating new models of cooperation.

"The forum is looking at fragmentation as a challenge and renewed cooperation as the answer. I agree with both the assessment and the solution," he said. Jaishankar noted that global fragmentation is likely to continue but argued that it can also create opportunities by reducing excessive dependence and allowing more countries greater participation in global affairs. He said the modern world remains deeply connected through trade, supply chains, technology and shared resources despite rising geopolitical tensions. According to him, global economic interdependence has become one of the defining features of today's international landscape.

The minister highlighted technology as a major force connecting economies and societies, adding that artificial intelligence will further expand cross-border collaboration because data and technological systems operate beyond national boundaries. At the same time, he stressed that challenges such as pandemics, terrorism and climate-related disasters cannot be addressed by individual countries alone. These issues, he said, require stronger international cooperation and collective responses.

Referring to India's traditional philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or the idea that the world is one family, Jaishankar said global cooperation remains essential in dealing with common challenges. He warned that economic decisions are increasingly being shaped by strategic interests, affecting trade, connectivity and development. He also criticised restrictions that limit developing countries' ability to industrialise, saying unequal access to markets and technology can reinforce global inequalities.

Describing the current international environment, Jaishankar said the world is witnessing the "weaponisation" of various domains, along with greater uncertainty and political pressures influenced by the social media era. He argued that these trends must be addressed through broader cooperation among more countries. The minister suggested five key approaches for rebuilding cooperation in a divided world: reducing risks in the global economy through diversified supply chains, strengthening partnerships among influential nations, safeguarding international laws and institutions, expanding opportunities for the Global South, and promoting reforms in multilateral organisations.

Connecting these ideas with India-South Korea relations, Jaishankar said both countries have strong reasons to work more closely together. He pointed to shared strengths and opportunities in areas including shipbuilding, semiconductors, healthcare, infrastructure and defence. He added that his recent discussions in Seoul focused on expanding economic and technological cooperation, strengthening political and strategic ties, and encouraging closer people-to-people connections between India and South Korea.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.

India’s efforts to limit Pakistan’s influence on the international stage are facing a complicated geopolitical reality as Islamabad continues to maintain ties with major global powers and remains involved in important regional developments. Despite economic struggles and domestic challenges, Pakistan has managed to remain diplomatically relevant, highlighting the difficulties of completely isolating a strategically located country.

For years, India has pushed a stronger global narrative against Pakistan, particularly focusing on security concerns and cross-border terrorism issues. The approach aimed to increase international pressure on Islamabad and reduce its diplomatic space. However, changing global priorities and strategic interests have allowed Pakistan to continue engaging with several influential countries. Pakistan’s geographical position remains one of its biggest advantages. Located between South Asia, China, Central Asia, and the Middle East, the country holds strategic importance for global powers looking at trade routes, security cooperation, and regional stability.

Its proximity to Afghanistan, access to the Arabian Sea, and links with energy-rich regions have kept Pakistan relevant in international calculations. Analysts say that geography often plays a major role in diplomacy, and countries with strategic locations are rarely ignored for long. China continues to be one of Pakistan’s closest partners, with economic cooperation and defence ties forming a key part of their relationship. At the same time, Islamabad has worked to maintain engagement with other countries, including the United States and Gulf nations, following a policy of balancing relationships rather than relying on a single alliance.

Pakistan has also gained attention through its involvement in regional diplomacy. Recent developments around international negotiations have highlighted Islamabad’s attempt to present itself as a useful diplomatic player. Pakistan’s role in facilitating discussions involving global powers has increased its visibility in international affairs.

The situation reflects a broader shift in global politics, where strategic interests often influence diplomatic decisions. Many countries continue relations with Pakistan because of security, economic, and regional considerations, even while raising concerns over various issues. Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance does not remove its internal challenges. The country continues to face economic pressure, political uncertainty, and security issues. Experts argue that maintaining international attention will not be enough unless Pakistan strengthens its economy and domestic institutions.

The challenge now extends beyond diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. New Delhi must also navigate a changing global environment where countries increasingly make decisions based on their own strategic interests. The evolving India-Pakistan competition shows that international influence is not shaped only by political disputes. Geography, alliances, economic opportunities, and regional importance continue to determine how countries are viewed on the world stage. While India has expanded its global partnerships and strengthened its international position, Pakistan’s continued engagement with major powers shows that diplomatic isolation remains a difficult goal in modern geopolitics.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy return after a brief pause with a new episode exploring the shifting negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war, and why Donald Trump says the responsibility for reaching a deal now rests with his vice-president. Jonathan also examines the latest Kennedy family member entering the political arena, questioning whether voters are losing interest in political dynasties. He also looks at whether Trump’s planned reflection pool will be completed before the 4 July celebrations.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames, Lucy Ward, and Jacob Steinberg as England kick off their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion. The episode invites listeners to rate, review, and share on Apple Podcasts, and to join the discussion via email. Today’s focus is England’s 4–2 win over Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s side pressing aggressively and playing with real tempo and attacking intent, particularly in a strong second half. The panel debates how much significance should be attached to such a convincing opening performance. Elsewhere in the group, Ghana’s 1–0 win over Panama receives only brief attention before moving on to DR Congo, who earned a well-deserved draw against a disappointing Portugal side. This naturally leads to growing discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the team going forward. The episode also previews the next set of fixtures, includes Nick Ames reporting from the GOP convention on his day off, revisits the ongoing “apples” segment, and wraps up with listener questions. Listeners are encouraged to support The Guardian and follow Football Weekly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On Saturday, Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Tehran were progressing positively and that a deal to end the conflict was largely in place. Just a day later, the United States carried out strikes in southern Iran. By Thursday, Trump had shared a draft peace proposal for the Iran conflict with allied nations. As the future of a US-Iran agreement remains uncertain, Jonathan Freedland speaks with Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group to explore why Trump has repeatedly shifted his approach to ending the war.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

An Ebola outbreak has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with around 400 confirmed cases and over 100 deaths. To understand its possible origin, containment measures, and why it is especially concerning, Ian Sample speaks with clinical epidemiologist Daniela Manno from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.