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AdvertisementUS, Israel war on IranChinaDiplomacyPakistan’s peace plan a ‘critical opportunity’ for US-Iran talks ahead of Trump deadlineIslamabad has put forward proposals for a ceasefire as the US president threatened ‘hell’ if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen
3-MIN READ3-MIN3 ListenShi JiangtaoPublished: 9:20pm, 6 Apr 2026Updated: 9:26pm, 6 Apr 2026As US President Donald Trump’s Tuesday deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz approached, Pakistan put forward a fresh proposal for an immediate ceasefire on Monday, offering what one analyst described as “a critical opportunity” for talks.The plan was brokered through overnight contacts between Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, US officials including Vice-President J.D. Vance and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Reuters.
It called for an immediate halt to hostilities and the reopening of the vital waterway, followed by negotiations for a broader settlement within 15 to 20 days.
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AdvertisementTaiwanChinaPoliticsWhy KMT leader’s planned visit to Beijing is under scrutiny in TaiwanMeeting with Xi Jinping is expected on six-day trip, the first such encounter between the two parties’ leaders in a decade
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenLawrence Chungin TaipeiPublished: 9:05pm, 6 Apr 2026Updated: 9:13pm, 6 Apr 2026A high-stakes visit to mainland China by the chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), during which she is expected to meet Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and promote cross-strait peace, is under scrutiny in Taipei.Cheng Li-wun is set to depart for Shanghai on Tuesday for a six-day trip, with local media reporting a possible meeting with Xi in Beijing on Thursday – the first such encounter between the two parties’ leaders in a decade.However, Cheng’s coming visit has drawn criticism from Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and unease within parts of the KMT, underscoring the political sensitivity of opposition engagement with Be..

Iranian leader's relatives Hamideh Soleimani Afshar (left), 47, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, had been living a lavish life in the US.

50-year-old Halasious Bradford, a piano instructor, who rented a signle-story property owned by the niece of Iranian leader Gen Qasem Soleimani, described the dramatic scenes that unfolded when ICE arrested the mother and the daughter Friday. Bradford said the ICE arrest did not come out of the blue because agents were active in the streets. At around 5 pm on Friday, the agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, 47, and her daughter, Sarinasadat Hosseiny, 25, and their Green Cards were revoked for their ties to the Iranian regime. Afshar had celebrated attacks on US soldiers and military facilities, praised Iran’s Supreme Leader, called America the “Great Satan,” and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organization, according to the State Department.Bradford said he was driving back home dur..

Karun Kaushik, the Indian-origin co-founder and CEO of Delve, has responded to allegations that his company misled clients on regulatory compliance, saying rapid growth led to internal shortcomings while also claiming the controversy is linked to a targeted cyberattack.Delve is a compliance technology startup that helps companies assess and manage their security, privacy, and regulatory compliance. It's headquarters is based in San Francisco, California.In a video statement, Karun Kaushik said the company “grew too fast,” which created gaps in processes and oversight. He acknowledged that systems did not keep pace with expansion, leading to issues that are now under scrutiny. The company also issued a public statement apologising to customers for “falling short” of its own standards.At the same time, Delve pushed back strongly on the origin of the allegations. The company said the claims stem from an anonymous actor and are not from a legitimate whistleblower. According to Delve, ..

AdvertisementCentral AsiaWorldRussia & Central AsiaAfghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central AsiaCentral Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 9:26pm, 5 Apr 2026Afghanistan aims to increase trade with Central Asian countries to US$10 billion within the next three or four years, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday.
Trade with Central Asian countries to Afghanistan’s north came to about US$2.7 billion in 2025, itself a significant increase over previous years, Muttaqi said.
He stated Afghanistan’s new trade goal with its neighbours at a “constructive dialogue” meeting in Kabul with representatives from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
AdvertisementThe meeting focused on political, economic and security issues, regional cooperation, trade and the expansi..

AdvertisementScienceChinaScienceChina’s push for hydrogen-powered planes takes step forward amid Iran energy crisisThe maiden flight of the most powerful plane of its kind was hailed by state media as establishing a ‘complete technological chain’
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenWilliam ZhengPublished: 9:00pm, 5 Apr 2026A Chinese cargo plane powered by a hydrogen-fuelled engine has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a milestone in China’s push for green aviation.The 7.5-tonne uncrewed aircraft is powered by the world’s most powerful hydrogen turboprop of its kind, capable of generating more than 1 megawatt.
The engine operated normally and remained in good condition throughout the 16-minute test flight on Saturday, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), its developer.
AdvertisementThe aircraft covered 36km (22 miles) at a speed of 220km/h (137mph), flying at an altitude of 300 metres (985 feet). After completing all scheduled manoeuvr..