WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday posted a map graphic on his Truth Social platform depicting Venezuela with an inset American flag and the label &quot;51st State.&quot; The post -- published while Trump was en route to China for a high-stakes summit -- comes a day after Venezuela&#39;s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said her country had &quot;never&quot; considered becoming the 51st state, even after US forces captured deposed leader Nicolas Maduro in January. Earlier on Monday, Trump told Fox News that he was considering making the South American country a new state. Rodriguez, for her part, has overseen a thawing of relations with the United States since taking over the country, passing reforms that reopened Venezuela&#39;s mining and oil sectors to foreign companies -- especially from the US. The Venezuelan opposition has demanded elections, while Rodriguez -- when asked on May 1 about the prospects of a new vote -- said she &quot;didn&#39;t know&quot; and that it would happen &quot;sometime.&quot;

Americas

The post -- published while Trump was en route to China for a high-stakes summit -- comes a day after Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said her country had "never" considered becoming the 51st state, even after US forces captured deposed leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

Trump posts graphic of Venezuela as 51st US state

Web Desk

PARIS:&nbsp;European Union imports of Russian liquefied natural gas hit their highest level in the first quarter since Moscow&#39;s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to research published Wednesday. The surge came as nations worldwide scramble for energy supplies to replace disrupted deliveries during the Middle East war. But the EU has vowed to end all imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027 due to the war in Ukraine. Russian gas shipments by pipeline to the EU have largely stopped, but countries are still buying its LNG via tankers, led by France, Spain and Belgium, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, an independent research group. Its report found that the EU imported 6.9 billion cubic meters of Russian gas in the first three months of this year, a 16% increase from the first quarter last year, and the highest since 2022. The trend continued in April, with imports up 17% on the year, the IEEFA told AFP. Russia remains the second-biggest supplier of LNG to the bloc, providing around 14% of the total, the group said. EU nations have increasingly turned toward the United States, with imports of US LNG more than tripling between 2021 and 2025, it said. In the first quarter alone, EU imports of US LNG jumped 27%. &quot;The US will become the EU&#39;s largest gas supplier in 2026 and could account for 80% of its LNG imports by 2028,&quot; the institute said, noting that US gas is the most expensive for European buyers. &quot;Europe&#39;s shift from pipeline gas to LNG was meant to provide security of supply and diversification,&quot; Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, the IEEFA&#39;s lead energy analyst for Europe, said in a statement. &quot;Yet disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East and an overreliance on US LNG show that Europe&#39;s plan has failed on both counts,&quot; she said.

Zapolyarnoye oil and gas condensate field. Gas pumping stations. (Photo: Wikimedia commons)

Europe

Europe’s energy diversification strategy is under strain as Russian LNG purchases rise, US supplies grow more costly, and Middle East war disruptions intensify pressure on gas markets.


EU imports of Russian gas highest since Ukraine invasion: Report

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Dogan Bekin, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, has said Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts have contributed positively to regional stability and enhanced its international credibility.&nbsp; Speaking at Pakistan TV&rsquo;s World This Morning program, Bekin said Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue and easing regional tensions has been widely acknowledged and reflects its growing importance in global diplomacy. He said lasting peace and stability in the world cannot be achieved without the just resolution of long-standing conflicts, particularly in Kashmir and Palestine. Highlighting the Kashmir dispute, Bekin said multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir have yet to be implemented, and stressed that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with international law. Turning to the Middle East, Bekin said continued violence and humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank reflect a failure of the international community to enforce accountability and uphold human rights. He said regional tensions are further complicating geopolitical stability, urging Muslim countries to strengthen unity and collective diplomatic efforts. Bekin called for closer cooperation among Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, and Gulf states to promote peace, political coordination and solidarity across the Muslim world. He said divided approaches weaken the ability of Muslim countries to influence global decisions and resolve conflicts effectively. He also emphasized the need to address sectarian and political divisions within Muslim societies, saying greater unity is essential to counter external pressures and divisive policies. Bekin said coordinated diplomacy and unified action among Muslim countries remain key to resolving protracted conflicts and ensuring long-term regional and global peace.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP (Photo: Pakistan TV Satellite)

World This Morning

Turkish lawmaker Dogan Bekin said Pakistan’s diplomacy has boosted regional stability and urged greater unity among Muslim countries to help resolve the Kashmir and Palestine conflicts.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP

LONDON: King Charles III will on Wednesday outline UK leader Keir Starmer&#39;s next legislative plans, during a pomp-filled ceremony that could have huge repercussions for the embattled prime minister&#39;s future. Starmer, fighting to face down a revolt within his ruling Labour party, has promised his government will be &quot;better&quot; and bolder to assuage disgruntled voters impatient for change. That pledge will be put to the test in Wednesday&#39;s short address in parliament, which Downing Street said will unveil an &quot;ambitious programme&quot; that will make Britain a &quot;stronger, fairer&quot; country. It is the latest crunch moment in Starmer&#39;s 22-month premiership, and comes after Labour descended into open warfare on Tuesday over the prime minister&#39;s future following the party&#39;s heavy defeats in local and regional elections. Four junior ministers resigned, and the number of MPs urging Starmer to quit passed 80, but more than 100 others signed a statement urging colleagues to back him. Several senior ministers also rallied around the Labour premier after Starmer vowed to fight on, telling them that no one had come forward to kick-start a leadership challenge. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy urged lawmakers to &quot;step back and take a breath&quot;, while a spokesman for Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood denied rumours that she was resigning. Pivotal moment&nbsp;&quot;Britain stands at a pivotal moment,&quot; Starmer, who in July 2024 became the UK&#39;s sixth prime minister in eight years, said in comments late Tuesday ahead of the King&#39;s Speech. &quot;To press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.&quot; Despite its name, the King&#39;s Speech is not written by the monarch but by the government, which uses it to detail the laws it proposes to make over the next 12 months. Downing Street said the address will include a package of more than 35 bills &quot;to bolster economic, energy, (and) national security. They will include proposals to fully nationalise British Steel and deepen Britain&#39;s relationship with the European Union. King Charles will deliver the proposals from a golden throne in the House of Lords upper chamber while wearing the diamond-studded Imperial State Crown and a long crimson robe. The day&#39;s proceedings start when royal bodyguards ritually search the basement of the Palace of Westminster for explosives -- a legacy of the failed attempt by Catholics to blow up parliament in the 1605 Gunpowder plot. Black RodThe sovereign will then travel to the Houses of Parliament by carriage from Buckingham Palace, escorted by mounted cavalry. Tradition dictates that an MP is ceremonially held &quot;hostage&quot; in the palace to ensure the king&#39;s safe return. A parliamentary official known as Black Rod will have the door of the lower chamber House of Commons slammed in their face, a tradition that symbolises parliament&#39;s independence from the monarchy. MPs will follow Black Rod to the upper chamber, where Charles, as head of state, will give the speech to assembled lords and ladies in red and ermine robes, plus invited members of the elected Commons at around 11:30 am (1030 GMT). Starmer is also due on Wednesday morning to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting, purported to be one of his main rivals for the premiership. Streeting is popular on the right of Labour, while a would-be challenger on the left in any contest could be former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. Another much-touted contender, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester in northwest England, is unable to stand currently as he is not an MP, but supporters want Starmer to lay out a timetable for his departure that allows Burnham to return to parliament and stand. Under party rules, any challenger would need the support of 81 Labour MPs, 20% of the party in parliament, to trigger a leadership contest. Starmer has vowed to fight any challenge.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks during a visit to the Kenton district of London on April 23, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Keir Starmer faces growing political pressure as King Charles III prepares to outline the UK government’s legislative agenda during the traditional King’s Speech in parliament.

King Charles to unveil UK government agenda amid pressure on PM Starmer

ISLAMABAD: Israel&rsquo;s government is facing renewed political turmoil after an ultra-Orthodox party threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s coalition over delays to a controversial military draft-exemption bill, Anadolu Agency reported Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ultra-orthodox Degel HaTorah party warned it could push for early elections if legislation exempting Haredi Jewish men from military service is postponed until after the next national vote.&nbsp;&nbsp;The dispute centers on long-running demands by ultra-orthodox parties for legal protections allowing religious students to avoid compulsory military service.&nbsp;The issue has become increasingly contentious during Israel&rsquo;s ongoing regional conflicts, with many Israelis arguing that military service obligations should apply equally across society.&nbsp;&nbsp;Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael together form the United Torah Judaism alliance, a key partner in Netanyahu&rsquo;s right-wing coalition government.&nbsp;The alliance controls seven seats in the 120-member Knesset and is reportedly seeking support from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which holds 11 seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption law must waitIsrael&rsquo;s public broadcaster KAN reported that Netanyahu and his aides informed Haredi parties that the exemption law could not currently pass in its existing form and may need to wait until after the elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;That position reportedly angered ultra-orthodox leaders, who are now considering moves to obstruct legislation in parliament and accelerate efforts to dissolve the Knesset.&nbsp;Party leader Moshe Gafni is said to have met Netanyahu&rsquo;s chief of staff this week to discuss the crisis, though doubts remain over whether the coalition has enough support to pass the bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;The controversy follows a 2024 Israeli Supreme Court ruling ordering the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men and ending state funding for religious institutions whose students refuse military service.&nbsp;&nbsp;Haredi groups have continued to protest the decision, arguing that full-time Torah study is central to their religious identity and they should be exempt from conscription.

Middle East

Israeli ultra-orthodox party threatens to topple Netanyahu’s coalition over delays to a military draft exemption bill, deepening political tensions around Haredi conscription and government stability.

Netanyahu coalition faces collapse over conscription bill delay

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday assured full government support to Chinese investors and highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s growing potential in export-oriented manufacturing and industrial development. The minister held a meeting in Islamabad with a Chinese business delegation led by Huwang, Chairman of Challenges Fashion, and Karen Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Challenge Apparel. During the meeting, both sides discussed investment opportunities in textiles, apparel and other industrial sectors, along with broader Pakistan-China economic cooperation. The Chinese delegation briefed the minister on progress regarding their ongoing industrial project in Pakistan and shared plans for major expansion in manufacturing capacity, employment generation, and exports. Huwang informed the meeting that the company is establishing a large manufacturing facility in Pakistan under international production standards, with the first phase expected to be completed later this year. According to the delegation, the long-term expansion plan could create up to 20,000 jobs and generate annual exports worth 400 to 500 million dollars. The Chinese investors highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic geographic location, competitive workforce and regional connectivity, expressing confidence in the country&rsquo;s industrial and export potential. Khan welcomed the growing interest of Chinese companies in Pakistan and said the government is taking steps to improve the investment climate and simplify regulatory procedures. He said investor facilitation remains a key priority of the government in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s vision of promoting export-led economic growth. The minister noted that changing global supply chains and evolving economic dynamics are creating new opportunities for countries like Pakistan. He said Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic location and industrial capabilities make it an attractive destination for export-oriented investment and regional trade integration. The meeting also discussed regional connectivity, logistics, energy access and the importance of diversified trade corridors. Chinese representatives shared positive experiences regarding their operations in Pakistan but pointed out that international perceptions sometimes affect business decisions abroad. Khan acknowledged the issue and said Pakistan has made significant progress in improving the business environment and strengthening investor protection. The delegation also raised concerns regarding specialized industrial construction materials and inputs not currently manufactured locally. The minister assured the investors that the government would facilitate industrial requirements and informed them about ongoing tariff rationalization measures aimed at improving competitiveness and reducing manufacturing costs. He invited the delegation to formally submit details of products requiring tariff review within the government&rsquo;s ongoing reform framework. The meeting also reviewed progress on land approvals, infrastructure, utility facilitation and reforms in Special Economic Zone frameworks aimed at improving ease of doing business in Pakistan.

Economy

Minister assures Chinese investors of government support, as discussions focused on export-oriented manufacturing, industrial expansion, employment generation and strengthening Pakistan-China economic cooperation.

Pakistan minister assures full support to Chinese investors

NEW DELHI: India has boosted its import tariffs on gold and silver in an effort to shore up the sagging value of the rupee and bolster foreign currency reserves hit by war in the Middle East. Gold imports are financed through dollars, which means buyers have to spend down foreign reserves or convert rupees to make purchases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already appealed to the public days ago to avoid buying gold for a year, as the rupee&#39;s year-long slide against the dollar has worsened amid the Iran war. The government more than doubled import taxes on gold and silver to about 15% from the existing 6%, according to two official orders issued late Tuesday. The energy supply crisis caused by the Mideast war&#39;s closure of the Strait of Hormuz &mdash; through which a fifth of the world&#39;s crude passed &nbsp;&mdash; has hit India hard. India is the world&#39;s third-largest oil importer, and the spiking cost of petroleum has hit its foreign currency reserves. Elevated crude oil prices have increased India&#39;s import bill, putting additional strain on the country&#39;s balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves. Modi on Sunday urged the people of India to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption in response to supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. Gold, seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity and widely used during weddings as well as festivals, ranks second among India&#39;s imports, after crude oil.

A staff member shows gold bangles at a jewellery store in Ahmedabad on May 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Business

India is the world's third-largest oil importer, and the spiking cost of petroleum has hit its foreign currency reserves.

India hikes gold, silver duties to protect sliding rupee

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received $1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programs, the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed on Wednesday. In a statement, the State Bank said that the transfer was approved by the IMF Executive Board during the third review of Pakistan&rsquo;s economic program on May 8. According to the central bank, the IMF Executive Board approved 760 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for Pakistan, while a second tranche of 154 million SDRs was also approved under the RSF programme. The State Bank said it has received a total of 914 million SDRs. The central bank clarified that the amount would not be converted into Pakistani rupees and would instead be added to the country&rsquo;s foreign exchange reserves. Officials said the inflow would be reflected in the foreign exchange reserves for the week ending May 15, 2026. The latest disbursement is expected to provide support to Pakistan&rsquo;s external financing position and help strengthen foreign exchange reserves. Under the current IMF programme, Pakistan has so far received a total of $4.6 billion. Pakistan had entered into the 37-month EFF programme with the IMF in September 2024 as part of efforts to stabilise the economy and support reforms.

Pakistan receives $1.3 billion from the IMF under financial support programmes, providing relief to foreign exchange reserves and strengthening the country’s economic stability efforts.

Pakistan receives $1.3B from IMF under EFF and RSF programs

ISLAMABAD: A sexual harassment case involving the son of Indian Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has ignited significant political controversy in Telangana, The Wire reported on Tuesday. The complaint was filed by the family of a minor girl, who accused the minister&#39;s son, Bandi Sai Bageerath, of sexual harassment. Police registered the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), a stringent law dealing with crimes against minors. The issue has intensified political tensions, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of double standards on women&rsquo;s safety and child protection. Reports say investigators later examined the minor&rsquo;s statement and added more serious POCSO provisions, underlining the gravity of the allegations. Fair probe in doubtAccording to The Wire, the case is particularly sensitive because Bandi Sanjay is the Union minister of state in the home affairs ministry, which oversees law enforcement and internal security. Opposition leaders have questioned whether a fair probe is possible when the accused is the son of a powerful BJP leader. They have also accused the BJP of loudly raising women&rsquo;s safety issues against rivals while appearing defensive when allegations involve its own leaders or their families. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reportedly directed police to ensure a swift and transparent investigation. Case politically motivated, claims BJP The BJP has rejected the allegations, writes The Wire, with Bandi Sanjay claiming the case is politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation. He has alleged a conspiracy and said a counter-complaint has been filed accusing others of extortion and entrapment. However, opposition parties argue that such claims should not be used to weaken or delay an investigation involving a minor. The case has now become a political flashpoint in Telangana, placing the BJP under pressure at a time when it presents itself as a party of strict law and order. As the probe continues, the key question is whether authorities can conduct an impartial investigation without political pressure. The outcome could affect public confidence in how sensitive cases involving influential political families are handled.

India

Child sexual abuse case against Union minister's son triggers political row in India, with opposition parties questioning BJP’s stance on accountability and women’s safety.

BJP under pressure in India after child sexual harassment case against minister’s son 

BEIJING: Delegations from China and the United States met for trade talks in South Korea, Chinese state media reported Wednesday, hours before US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in Beijing. The talks were taking place at Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, Xinhua news agency said, without providing further details. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said he would be meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, both of whom have led previous rounds of negotiations. The officials are likely to put the finishing touches on any announcements made during Trump&#39;s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Washington and Beijing last year slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on each other&#39;s exports, with levies exceeding 100%. Trump and Xi agreed on a year-long trade truce at their October meeting in South Korea. &quot;Economic security is national security,&quot; Bessent said as he announced his South Korea trip on social media. Bessent will then travel to Beijing for the Trump-Xi summit, he added. More than a dozen business executives, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla boss Elon Musk, are also travelling to China with Trump.

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AFP/File)

The talks are taking place at Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, Xinhua news agency said, without providing further details.

China-US trade talks start in South Korea: Chinese state media 

BRASILIA: Organized crime in South America is a growing threat to the Amazon rainforest, according to a report published Tuesday, as the encroachment of criminal groups into protected areas fuels violence and sets back environmental preservation in the world&#39;s largest tropical rainforest. The report by the International Crisis Group think tank said the search for new drug trafficking routes and illegal mining areas is compelling organized crime rings to expand their reach in the Amazon basin, leading to devastating effects on the environment. The Amazon &quot;is under attack from organized crime,&quot; the report concluded. &quot;Organized crime has become one of the main obstacles to efforts to stop environmental damage in the Amazon,&quot; said Bram Ebus, a Crisis Group expert. &quot;What used to be primarily a conservation challenge has become a political and security crisis,&quot; he added. The report said gangs operate in at least 67% of Amazon municipalities in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, citing data from the Amazon Underworld periodical. The International Crisis Group urged governments to work with Indigenous communities to combat the spread of organized crime. It also appealed to international suppliers of raw materials to ensure their supply chains are not tainted with products from criminal origins. Surveillance in the vast, remote rainforest has never been simple. The Amazon rainforest stretches across nine South American nations, with the majority located in Brazil. It has a central role in the fight to combat climate change. The report mentions that organized crime groups take advantage of government weak spots to expand their territory throughout the jungle, particularly Brazilian crime groups like Comando Vermelho (Red Command) and First Capital Command (PCC). The spread occasionally crosses borders with nearby countries like Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, competing or even collaborating with armed groups from the neighboring states. The think tank added that such crime groups were &quot;exercising brutal violence&quot; in communities under their control.

Climate

The International Crisis Group urges governments to work with Indigenous communities to combat the spread of organized crime.

Trump posts graphic of Venezuela as 51st US state

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