RIYADH: Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia, lambasted on Thursday the approval of a death penalty bill for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, saying the move threatens &quot;regional stability&quot;. Foreign ministers released the statement from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. &quot;This legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners, and stressed that such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability,&quot; the joint statement read. Under the law passed by Israel&#39;s parliament late on Monday, Palestinians convicted by military courts of carrying out deadly attacks classified as &quot;acts of terrorism&quot; will face the death penalty&nbsp;as a default sentence. The United Nations and European Union have criticized the law, while the United States came out in support of &quot;Israel&#39;s sovereign right to determine its own laws&quot;. Because Palestinians in the territory are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, the measure effectively creates a separate and harsher legal track. In Israeli civilian courts, the law allows for either death or life imprisonment for those convicted of killing with the intent to harm the state.

FILE: From left to right: Syria's President Bashar Assad, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, as they follow Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Front R) and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (Back R)

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Middle East

Asia

"This legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners, and such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability," the joint statement released by Islamic nations read.

Islamic states condemn Israel over death penalty law

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty expressed his gratitude to Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for the hospitality shown during the recent meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad. He also welcomed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative, which aims to promote dialogue and help resolve conflicts, as stated by Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office in a post on X. The conversation highlighted Islamabad&rsquo;s efforts to build support for a diplomatic, negotiation-led approach amid heightened instability in the region.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039620873490227229&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=ae7ddec59798bc7abb6eee7d2c7b3f942873f552&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 746px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Egypt&rsquo;s positive response to the five-point proposal suggests that Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach is resonating with key regional actors seeking de-escalation rather than further confrontation. Both ministers reaffirmed the close fraternal relations between Pakistan and Egypt and agreed to remain in close contact.&nbsp;The exchange underscored the importance both governments attach to sustained engagement as the regional situation continues to evolve. The call also reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader diplomatic position as an advocate of dialogue, political settlement and peace while strengthening coordination with influential partners in the Muslim world.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday night, with both sides reaffirming close bilateral ties and continued diplomatic coordination amid wider regional tensions.

 Pakistan-Egypt FMs reiterate support for peace initiatives

ISLAMABAD: On World Autism Awareness Day, Pakistan reiterated its dedication to advancing the rights, education, and social inclusion of individuals with autism. Under this year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,&rdquo; Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described autism as a neurodevelopmental difference that &quot;can affect communication, language, and social interaction,&quot; according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office.&nbsp; &ldquo;Individuals on the autism spectrum deserve understanding, acceptance, and equal opportunities to participate fully in society,&rdquo; the PM said. Providing appropriate care, education, and training to children with special needs remains one of the government&rsquo;s top priorities, he said, with efforts underway to enhance their capabilities using available resources.&nbsp; Part of those efforts includes a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for Autism whose foundation stone was laid by the federal government in December 2025. The center is expected to be completed within the year, as per the PM&#39;s statement. The PM stressed that supporting children with special abilities was a collective responsibility and paid tribute to parents, teachers, and caregivers for their dedication. He said advanced facilities were urgently needed across the country so that persons with autism and other developmental challenges do not feel isolated.&nbsp; In a message on the day, President Asif Ali Zardari said the government was working to strengthen support systems through early identification, inclusive education, rehabilitation services, and public awareness to reduce barriers faced by individuals with autism. &ldquo;Autism is not a limitation, it is a different way of experiencing the world,&rdquo; the president said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Our responsibility is to ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum have access to the support, education and understanding they need to live with confidence.&rdquo; Numbers impacted&nbsp;Citing global estimates, Zardari said one in every 100 children is on the autism spectrum, with signs appearing early in life and affecting communication, learning, and interaction. In Pakistan, available estimates suggest about 0.5% of the population is affected, according to APP. Given the country&#39;s population of nearly 250 million, this figure translates to well over a million individuals, many of them children. A study by Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) estimates that around two million children in Pakistan are affected by learning and developmental disabilities, including dyslexia and autism, with most diagnosed at a late stage. How can the challenges be combated?&nbsp;According to the WHO, evidence shows that early identification, inclusive education and nurturing care in families and communities can significantly improve health, well-being and participation.&nbsp; President Zardari, in his statement, highlighted how challenging it can be for parents who &quot;often have to travel long distances to find specialized care or adjust work schedules to attend therapy sessions.&quot;&nbsp; In an effort to counter this, the president said the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad has set up a dedicated autism center offering diagnostic services, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support and guidance for parents. Such facilities are important in building a more coordinated approach to care. Screening during routine child health visits, along with better training for doctors, teachers and community workers, can help ensure quicker referrals. Nutritional support during pregnancy, including folic acid supplementation, has also been shown to reduce risk. This allows children to receive help when it can make the greatest difference,&rdquo; the president said. &quot;A society is measured by how it treats those who need support,&quot; he added.&nbsp; &quot;We must ensure that individuals with autism are able to live with dignity, take part in daily life and pursue their potential without unnecessary obstacles.&quot; Globally, the WHO says one in every 127 people is diagnosed with autism. The health organization has placed autism among the top ten brain health conditions contributing to health loss worldwide.

Health

Under this year’s theme, “Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described autism as a neurodevelopmental difference that "can affect communication, language, and social interaction," according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office. 

PM, president call for greater inclusion as Pakistan marks Autism Awareness Day

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar lawmakers will elect a new president on Friday, the parliamentary speaker said, with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing one of three candidates for the post. The former commander-in-chief has led Myanmar since 2021, when he ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered a civil war. He was one of three vice presidents elected by lawmakers on Tuesday, receiving 247 of 260 votes in the lower house. &quot;...the three vice presidents (members of parliament) have to vote to ... elect the one vice president they prefer as the President,&quot; parliamentary speaker Aung Lin Dwe said Thursday, adding the vote will be held at 10:00 a.m on Friday. The other two vice presidents are Nan Ni Ni Aye, a regional MP from Karen state with the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and current Prime Minister Nyo Saw. Democracy watchdogs have long warned that the new government will be a proxy of the military, which has ruled Myanmar for the vast majority of its post-independence history. The generals loosened their grip for a decade-long democratic experiment beginning in 2011, allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to ascend as civilian leader and steer a period of reform as the nation opened up. But after Aung San Suu Kyi trounced the USDP in a landslide in the 2020 elections, Min Aung Hlaing seized power back. After five years of hardline rule, the top general oversaw heavily restricted elections that returned a walkover win for pro-military parties in January. Now the USDP, led and staffed by many retired officers, is entrenched in parliament after winning 80% of the elected seats, and the new government is expected to march in lockstep with the top brass. Min Aung Hlaing is expected to manage a carefully orchestrated transition to the presidency after handing over the reins of the military to loyalist Ye Win Oo on Monday.

Min Aung Hlaing - (Photo: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Min Aung Hlaing is set to become Myanmar’s president through a military-backed parliamentary vote following contested elections and years of junta rule after the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar parliament to elect new president Friday: Speaker

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said Thursday that the burden of ending its conflict with Afghanistan lay with Kabul, as the two sides held preliminary talks to try to end hostilities, AFP reported. Negotiations started in Urumqi, in northwest China, on Wednesday, after Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi told reporters in the capital that the government hoped for a &quot;durable solution&quot;. &quot;Our participation (in talks) is a reiteration of our core concerns,&quot; he said. &quot;The burden of real process, however, lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using (its) soil against Pakistan.&quot; &#39;Working level talks&#39;He described the negotiations as &quot;working level talks&quot; and said they were ongoing. &quot;Our delegation has not returned yet,&quot; he added. Pakistan and Afghanistan announced a pause in fighting to mark the end of Ramadan last month, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. But sporadic attacks have been reported in remote border areas since the temporary truce ended. The Taliban government denies providing sanctuary to extremists. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have previously attempted to reduce tensions since the conflict escalated in February, while talks in Istanbul last November also failed. Diplomatic efforts Pakistan has stepped up its diplomatic efforts last week to resolve ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Persian Gulf, and Iran, holding high-level meetings, bilateral discussions, and regional consultations, according to the Foreign Office. In this connection, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held multiple telephone conversations with counterparts across the region and beyond, said Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi on Thursday at a weekly briefing. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039592679106118039&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=168e1d0df7ebef6d7d47a4459e676e075d0574eb&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 641px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the spokesperson, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the second round of four-party consultations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt.&nbsp; The first meeting had been held in Riyadh on March 19.&nbsp; Before the group discussions, the visiting ministers held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Dar. The talks covered the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, efforts to de-escalate violence, and strategies to promote peace and diplomacy.&nbsp; Pakistan reaffirmed its strong ties with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, emphasizing regional cooperation and coordination across multiple areas of mutual interest.&nbsp; The formal consultations ran 15 minutes longer than scheduled, signaling the depth of the discussions. Key points from the talks included calls for an early end to the war, recognition of the devastating impact on civilian lives, and the importance of Muslim unity.&nbsp; Deputy Prime Minister&nbsp;Dar briefed the visiting ministers in Islamabad on potential US-Iran talks, which were met with full support.&nbsp; The ministers agreed on dialogue as the primary path to prevent conflict, uphold the UN Charter, and strengthen mutual cooperation. A major development last week was Deputy Prime Minister Dar&rsquo;s visit to China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.&nbsp; Despite medical advice to rest due to an injury, Dar held in-depth discussions on regional and bilateral issues, including Afghanistan.&nbsp; A milestone outcome was a five-point peace initiative by China and Pakistan, emphasizing the immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian assistance, the security of civilians, a commitment to dialogue, and adherence to the UN Charter.&nbsp;The initiative highlighted the importance of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The week also saw extensive telephone diplomacy, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.&nbsp; Prime Minister Sharif spoke with leaders, including the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Iran&rsquo;s President, and the President of the European Council.&nbsp; Discussions focused on Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation efforts, peace initiatives, and regional de-escalation. Deputy Prime Minister Dar held calls with Chinese, Egyptian, Turkish, Qatari, Indonesian, Iranian, and UN officials, emphasizing diplomacy as the only viable path to sustainable peace.&nbsp; Notably, Iran allowed 20 additional Pakistan-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a move hailed as a constructive gesture toward regional stability. On another front, said the spokesperson, eight foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued a joint statement condemning Israel&rsquo;s restrictions on Muslim and Christian worship in Jerusalem, including at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.&nbsp; The statement reaffirmed the legal and historical status of Jerusalem&rsquo;s holy sites and called on the international community to press Israel to halt violations. These developments, said the Foreign Office spokesperson, underscore Pakistan&rsquo;s active role in promoting regional diplomacy and conflict resolution, while reinforcing strategic partnerships with key regional and global actors, it was said at the briefing.

Pakistan intensified its diplomatic efforts last week to address ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and Iran, engaging in high-level meetings, bilateral talks, and regional consultations.

Pakistan says onus on Afghanistan to end hostilities

ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in Varanasi has denied bail to 14 Muslim men who were arrested after having iftari -- a meal to break the fast during Ramadan -- on a boat on the Ganges River. Critics of civil liberties are expressing concern that the case is becoming a significant example of communalized prosecution and pre-trial punishment. According to a report by the Indian Express on Thursday, the men were accused after videos of the March 15 gathering circulated online; they were arrested days later, remanded to judicial custody, denied bail by a magistrate on March 23, and denied bail again by the sessions court on April 1.&nbsp;The original allegation was that the group ate chicken biryani during iftar on the river and threw bones or food waste into the Ganges, hurting Hindu religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039345830126334102&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=ad6099de673681cafc55cfa6b48b11e690357ac6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The complaint was filed by Rajat Jaiswal, a local BJP youth-wing leader, and the case quickly escalated from a local dispute into a broader communal controversy. Prosecutors invoked a wide range of charges, including promoting enmity, public nuisance, insulting religious feelings, and other provisions linked to public order and alleged pollution. While refusing bail, the Sessions Court said that the posting of the event on social media, prima facie, suggested an intention to affect social harmony, particularly in a sensitive religious atmosphere. The miscarriage-of-justice concern arises from the contested nature of the evidence and the overtly religious framing of the case from the beginning. The Wire reported that the complainant&rsquo;s version shifted over time on whether bones were actually thrown into the river, while an independent review cited in that report said the viral videos did not clearly show waste being dumped. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039586123614494956&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=ad6099de673681cafc55cfa6b48b11e690357ac6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 737px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The same report said defense lawyers argued that the accused were falsely implicated, that the complainant was not an eyewitness, and that no chicken or bones were recovered from the site. Taken together, the case has come to symbolize how an iftar gathering by Muslim youths can be rapidly recast as a criminal and communal provocation, with severe charges and prolonged incarceration preceding any final adjudication of guilt. Whether the prosecution ultimately proves its case or not, the controversy has already raised serious questions about selective enforcement, evidentiary standards, and the role of religion in policing public space in contemporary India.

India

Fourteen Muslim men remain jailed in Varanasi after a fast-breaking meal along the Ganges was criminalized, raising concerns over weak evidence, communal framing, selective enforcement, and religion-based targeting in India.

Jailed for breaking fast on Ganges: 14 Muslim men denied bail in India

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed eight terrorists during an operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in North Waziristan district, the military&rsquo;s media wing said on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a group of &quot;khawarij&quot; was effectively engaged, as a result of which eight terrorists connected to &ldquo;Indian proxy, Fitna al Khawarij&rdquo; were killed.&nbsp; Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants. The military said the engagement once again &ldquo;substantiated&rdquo; its repeated stance regarding the failure of the Afghan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/operation-ghazab-lilhaq-435-killed-as-pakistan-strikes-afghan-targets" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Taliban</a>&nbsp;regime to ensure effective border management on its side of the border. &ldquo;Afghan Taliban Regime must fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by khawarij and involvement of its citizens in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-security-forces-kill-15-terrorists-in-balochistan-operation-military" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">terrorism</a>&nbsp;inside Pakistan,&rdquo; ISPR added. &quot;Khawarij&quot; is&nbsp;Islamabad&#39;s term for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorist&nbsp;group, which it accuses of operating from Afghan soil, backed by India. PM, President laud security forces&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for a successful operation against terrorists.&nbsp; The president and PM praised the professionalism of the security forces for their effective and timely actions, according to press releases issued by the Aiwan-e-Sadr press wing&nbsp;and the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Thursday.&nbsp; &ldquo;The role of the security forces in defending the country and safeguarding its borders was commendable,&rdquo; the president said. The leaders urged the Afghan interim government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan. &ldquo;The entire nation, including myself, stands resolute in its unwavering commitment to the war against terrorism,&rdquo; said PM Sharif.&nbsp; Sanitization operation continuesAccording to ISPR, Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces remain &ldquo;resolute and unwavering&rdquo; in their commitment to defending the nation&rsquo;s frontiers. A sanitization operation was undertaken to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area.&nbsp; The counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-i-Istehkam vision, approved by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace to eliminate &ldquo;foreign-sponsored terrorism&rdquo; from the country, ISPR said.

A Pakistani soldier stands guard in a bunker at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on February 27, 2026, following overnight cross-border firing between the two countries. (Photo: AFP/File)

Security

The military's media wing urges the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists and the involvement of its citizens in terrorism inside Pakistan.

8 terrorists killed in North Waziristan operation: Pakistan military 

ISLAMABAD: Ariana Afghan Airlines has announced it will increase flight frequency between Kabul and Islamabad in response to rising passenger demand. Starting next week, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, up from the current two flights on Sundays and Thursdays, according to Bakhtar News Agency.&nbsp; The expansion is expected to improve connectivity for travellers between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ariana is state-owned and the oldest airline in the country. The company has its main base at Kabul International Airport, from which it operates domestic flights and international connections to various destinations.

Ariana Afghan Airlines (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) 

Afghanistan

Starting next week, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, up from the current two flights on Sundays and Thursdays. 

Ariana Afghan Airlines to increase Kabul-Islamabad flights

ISLAMABAD: Loni, a small town in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Ghaziabad district on the edge of Delhi, has been ranked the world&rsquo;s most polluted city for 2025, underscoring the scale of India&rsquo;s air-quality crisis in the National Capital Region, CNN reported on Wednesday.&nbsp; The ranking comes from IQAir&rsquo;s World Air Quality Report, which said Loni recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 22 times the World Health Organization guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.&nbsp; CNN reported that the ranking has cast a spotlight on the health burden borne by residents living amid chronic dust, smoke, and traffic emissions. IQAir said Loni&rsquo;s PM2.5 level rose nearly 23% from 2024 levels, making it the worst-performing city in a global dataset covering 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions and territories. The same report said only 14% of cities worldwide met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline in 2025, while India ranked as the world&rsquo;s sixth most polluted country.&nbsp; It also said the 25 most polluted cities were all in India, Pakistan and China, with India home to three of the four worst-affected cities. The report places Loni at the center of a wider pollution belt stretching across Delhi-NCR. New Delhi remained the world&rsquo;s most polluted capital, while nearby NCR cities such as Ghaziabad and Noida also ranked among the world&rsquo;s worst.&nbsp; Indian media reports and local accounts have pointed to a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial activity, road and construction dust, waste burning, brick kilns and seasonal weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground. For residents, the ranking reflects an everyday health emergency rather than a statistical distinction.&nbsp; CNN&rsquo;s ground report described coughing and breathlessness as routine complaints, while scene-setting from the area highlighted damaged roads, dust-laden traffic corridors and nearby construction.&nbsp; The findings are likely to intensify pressure on authorities to strengthen enforcement against open burning, illegal polluting units and uncontrolled dust sources in the region.

The city in Uttar Pradesh was ranked as the most polluted in 2025, with extreme PM2.5 levels, highlighting a wider Delhi-NCR air crisis driven by dust, emissions, waste burning and industry.

Loni, world’s most polluted city, in India: Report

DHAKA: Bangladeshi&nbsp;Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has formally requested the United States to grant Bangladesh a special waiver to import refined diesel and other petroleum products derived from Russian sources to ease energy challenges, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported on Wednesday. The request was made during a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the Department of Energy in Washington DC on Tuesday.&nbsp; During the talks, the foreign minister underscored Bangladesh&#39;s ongoing energy challenges stemming from global supply chain disruptions, particularly ahead of the critical planting season, and stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for farmers and safeguard food security. Direct waiverRahman explained that Bangladesh could not take advantage of the earlier limited world-wide waiver by US on Russian oil at sea since none of the tankers were bound for Bangladesh at that time. In addition to seeking a direct waiver, the two sides discussed the options to buy more refined oil out of Russian crude from third countries to meet immediate need. US Energy Secretary Wright acknowledged the energy challenges Bangladesh is facing and expressed his country&#39;s commitment to support Bangladesh during these difficult times to help ensure its energy security. &#39;Positively consider&#39; He said the US will &#39;positively consider&#39; the requests of Bangladesh and assured that he and his team would work closely with the relevant departments of the US government to this end. The two sides also discussed longer-term cooperation for sustainable energy solutions for Bangladesh and the prospects of increasing procurement of US energy products. Secretary Chris Wright was assisted by Chief of Staff to the Secretary Carl Cole, Senior Adviser to the Secretary Audrey Robertson, Senior Adviser to the Secretary Andrew Rapp, Director, Office of Asian Affairs Margaux Murali and Fellow, Office of Asian Affairs Hamna Khan. From Bangladesh side, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Deputy Chief of Mission DM Salahuddin Mahmud and Economic Minister Dr Md Fazle Rabbi attended the meeting with the foreign minister.

FM Bangladesh Khalil ur Rahman (File Photo: BSS)

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has asked the United States for a special waiver to import Russian-derived fuel to address urgent energy and food security concerns.

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