Following India’s punitive actions against Pakistan, the Pakistani National Security Committee (NSC) convened and responded with a series of retaliatory measures. These included suspending the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements with India, closing the Wagah border, and revoking SAARC visas for Indian nationals (excluding Sikh pilgrims). Furthermore, Pakistan declared Indian defense advisors persona non grata, reduced Indian High Commission staff, closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, and suspended all trade with India. Pakistan also vowed a comprehensive response to any further threats to its sovereignty.
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Recently, the US Embassy in Tokyo announced that all nonimmigrant visa applicants must disclose all social media accounts used in the past five years. Failure to comply will result in visa denial. While US agencies have previously reviewed applicant social media, this new policy marks a significant increase in scrutiny, prompting concern among Japanese citizens and legal experts. The lack of specifics regarding the review process has heightened anxieties about the potential impact of online content on visa approvals. Applicants are urged to accurately and completely disclose all requested social media information.
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Following deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv, former President Trump publicly urged Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities and finalize a peace deal, expressing displeasure with the attacks’ timing and unnecessary nature. Trump’s proposed deal, reportedly granting Russia territories seized since 2014 and barring Ukraine’s NATO membership, has faced opposition from Ukrainian President Zelensky. This intervention comes amidst stalled peace talks and escalating tensions, with Trump previously blaming Zelensky for impeding progress while now directly addressing Putin. Trump’s envoy is scheduled to meet with Putin to continue negotiations.
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Following a massive Russian aerial assault on April 24th, resulting in numerous civilian casualties across Ukraine, including eight deaths in Kyiv, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged increased pressure on Russia to secure peace. He directly countered claims of Ukrainian intransigence in peace negotiations, asserting that Russia’s maximalist demands and brutal attacks demonstrate their unwillingness to pursue genuine peace. Sybiha emphasized that the focus of international pressure should be on Moscow, not Kyiv, to end the ongoing conflict. He concluded that only strength and pressure, not appeasement, will deter further Russian aggression.
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Russia vehemently opposes the deployment of Western peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, viewing it as a grave threat to global security. This stance, voiced by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and echoed by Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, warns of potential direct conflict between Russia and NATO, escalating to World War III. Shoigu further alleges that Western nations are actively preparing for war against Russia. These strong statements follow recent announcements from several European nations regarding potential military assistance and training for Ukrainian forces.
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Following a deadly terror attack in Kashmir claimed by a Pakistan-based group, India suspended its visa services for Pakistani nationals, revoked existing visas, and closed the main border crossing. In response to these actions, and India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan declared the move an “act of war,” implemented reciprocal visa restrictions, and closed its airspace to India. Tensions escalated further with Pakistan denying involvement in the attack and India hinting at potential military action. India has released sketches of three suspects believed to be responsible.
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Growing dissent against Hamas is evident in Gaza, with Palestinians openly protesting the group’s rule and blaming it for the territory’s dire crisis. Demonstrations featuring chants like “All of Hamas, out!” and “Hamas is garbage” highlight widespread discontent. Critics argue that Hamas’s actions have inextricably linked Gaza’s fate to its own, demanding the group relinquish control. This defiance underscores a disconnect between the global perception of Hamas as synonymous with Gaza and the reality of Palestinian opposition to its leadership.
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Early Thursday, Russia launched a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least eight people and injuring over 60, marking the deadliest assault on the capital in nine months. The attack, involving 70 missiles and 145 drones, targeted infrastructure and residential areas, leaving some trapped under rubble. Moscow claimed all targets were hit, while Zelensky, cutting short a visit to South Africa, immediately sought increased international support for air defenses. This attack followed a public dispute between Zelensky and Donald Trump, further complicating ongoing peace negotiations.
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A large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv on April 24th involved Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, Caliber cruise missiles, and Shahed drones, resulting in widespread damage and casualties. At least nine fatalities and 70 injuries were reported, with numerous civilians hospitalized, including children. The assault targeted civilian infrastructure, with additional missile strikes reported in Kharkiv and Pavlohrad. The ongoing attacks highlight the persistent threat to Ukrainian civilians.
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Ukraine summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun to address concerns about Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russia and Chinese companies manufacturing weapons for the Russian military. Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis presented evidence of this support to the ambassador, urging China to cease all aid to Russia’s aggression. While acknowledging the strategic partnership between Ukraine and China, Perebyinis stressed that such actions contradict this relationship. Ukraine hopes China will refrain from further actions detrimental to bilateral ties. This meeting follows previous Ukrainian claims of Chinese weapons supply to Russia, which China has denied.
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John Q. Hosedrinker