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  • India lifts wheat stock limits as supplies rise, easing prices

    India lifts wheat stock limits as supplies rise, easing prices

    In a significant policy reversal, the Indian government has officially abolished all restrictions on wheat stockpiling for traders, wholesalers, and retailers. The decision, announced Thursday, comes as domestic supplies reach comfortable levels and market prices show sustained moderation.

    The world’s second-largest wheat producer had initially implemented these stockholding limits in May 2025 as an emergency measure to combat hoarding practices and suppress escalating food inflation. The restrictions were part of a broader strategy to ensure adequate domestic availability and stabilize market conditions during periods of supply constraint.

    Official statements from New Delhi indicate current wheat inventories have surpassed last year’s levels, signaling robust supply conditions that rendered the previous constraints unnecessary. Despite the removal of quantity limits, market participants will continue to submit weekly stock position declarations, maintaining transparency in supply chain monitoring.

    This policy shift follows last month’s authorization of 500,000 metric tons of wheat flour and related product exports, marking a gradual easing of export controls originally instituted in 2022. The sequential relaxation of trade restrictions reflects India’s improving agricultural output and stabilizing food security situation, potentially positioning the nation for increased participation in global grain markets.

  • Kuwait announces working hours of government employees for Ramadan 2026

    Kuwait announces working hours of government employees for Ramadan 2026

    The Kuwaiti government has formally disclosed its comprehensive work schedule for public sector employees during the upcoming Ramadan period in 2026. This announcement builds upon External Decision No. (1) of 2024, which previously established the reduced four-and-a-half-hour workday mandate for the holy month.

    Under the current flexible working system, as outlined in Civil Service Bureau Circular No. (12) of 2024, government entities will maintain considerable autonomy in determining their specific operational timelines. The framework permits starting times between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, allowing individual departments to adjust schedules according to their operational requirements while adhering to the overall reduced hours.

    A notable provision includes a 15-minute grace period at the commencement of each workday. Additionally, female employees receive an extra 15-minute grace period at the conclusion of their workday. For evening operations during Ramadan, the regulations explicitly state that official working hours cannot begin before 6:45 PM, ensuring alignment with traditional prayer and fasting schedules.

    The implementation reflects Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to accommodating religious observances while maintaining public service functionality. This approach mirrors similar Ramadan work hour adjustments seen across other Gulf Cooperation Council nations, though Kuwait’s specific provisions regarding grace periods and flexible scheduling represent distinctive elements of its labor policy.

  • Explosion in Indian coal mine kills 18; rescue operations to resume in daylight

    Explosion in Indian coal mine kills 18; rescue operations to resume in daylight

    A devastating explosion tore through an unauthorized coal mining operation in India’s northeastern Meghalaya state on Thursday, resulting in 18 confirmed fatalities and 8 injuries. The tragedy occurred in the East Jaintia Hills district, where rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover victims from the rubble before suspending operations at nightfall.

    Local authorities identified the site as an illegal ‘rat-hole’ mine, a dangerous mining method involving deep vertical shafts with narrow horizontal tunnels. Despite a 2014 federal environmental court ban on this practice due to safety concerns and environmental damage, these operations continue widespread throughout the region.

    District official Manish Kumar confirmed the mine’s illegal status and indicated that rescue efforts would resume Friday morning with support from state and federal disaster management personnel. District Police Chief Vikash Kumar suggested the explosion likely resulted from a dynamite blast, though forensic investigation continues. The blast triggered subsequent fires and created dangerous accumulations of toxic gases within the mine shafts.

    The tragedy prompted immediate responses from top government officials. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, vowing accountability for those responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the mishap, offering condolences to bereaved families and wishing swift recovery to the injured. The government announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,216) for each deceased victim’s family.

    This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of illegal mining operations in India’s resource-rich regions, where safety regulations are routinely flouted despite judicial interventions and environmental concerns.

  • Greek minister lashes out at Turkey in bid to sway Washington

    Greek minister lashes out at Turkey in bid to sway Washington

    At a Washington think-tank gathering on Thursday, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias delivered a sharp critique of Turkey’s regional positioning, accusing Ankara of effectively advocating for Hamas and diverging from United States strategic objectives in the Middle East.

    Speaking during a panel discussion organized by Greece’s Delphi Economic Forum and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Dendias articulated his concerns without adopting an anti-Turkish stance. He highlighted the dramatic transformation in regional alliances by noting, “Remember that 25 years ago Israel and Turkey maintained the strongest of friendships. The fundamental question remains: what has fundamentally altered since then?”

    The minister posed several probing questions: “Which nation actively champions Hamas’s cause? Which government has refrained from expressing remorse for the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel? Which country provides sanctuary for the Muslim Brotherhood?”

    Dendias has established himself as taking a harder line toward Turkey than Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, though his remarks recalled Mitsotakis’s previous lobbying efforts in Congress against arms sales to Turkey, which previously strained bilateral relations.

    The commentary accurately reflects the substantial evolution in Israel’s diplomatic relationships with both Greece and Turkey. During the period when Turkey’s secular military exerted considerable influence over foreign policy, Israel functioned as a key strategic partner. Pro-Israel advocates in Washington even assisted Turkey in defeating Armenian Genocide legislation and supported US weapons transfers to Ankara.

    Conversely, Greece proved to be the final European Union member state to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1990, while maintaining close ties with Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian Liberation Organization since establishing relations in 1981.

    The political landscape shifted significantly with the emergence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Islamic populist governance model positioned Turkey as a vocal supporter of Palestinian interests. Relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated dramatically following the 2010 Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, resulting in ten activist fatalities.

    In recent years, Israel and Greece have developed increasingly close strategic partnerships involving joint military exercises and shared opposition to Turkish maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. The two nations are currently negotiating a substantial $3 billion agreement to develop advanced anti-aircraft and missile defense systems.

    Despite Greece’s strengthened ties with Israel, the Trump administration continued to prioritize Turkey as a crucial regional ally. Middle East Eye reported that Washington contemplated utilizing Turkish resources to address shortcomings in naval construction capabilities.

    President Trump relied heavily on Turkish cooperation for key foreign policy initiatives, including ceasefire arrangements in Gaza and recognition of Turkish economic and security interests in Syria, where Ankara supports President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In the Caucasus region, the Trump administration mediated an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that could establish new transit corridors connecting to Turkey.

    Dendias proposed a comparative exercise to demonstrate the divergence between US and Turkish visions: “I suggest a simple test. Request that American officials produce a conceptual image of how they envision the Eastern Mediterranean in ten or twenty years according to US interests. Then pose the identical question to President Erdogan in Ankara. How comparable do you anticipate these two visions appearing? I maintain they would demonstrate significant dissimilarity.”

    President Trump hosted Erdogan for a landmark White House visit in September, while the Greek leadership has not received comparable presidential hospitality.

  • Watch: Sheikh Hamdan rides in fully autonomous vehicle in Jumeirah

    Watch: Sheikh Hamdan rides in fully autonomous vehicle in Jumeirah

    In a groundbreaking demonstration of technological advancement, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has personally showcased the city’s progression toward autonomous transportation. The high-profile demonstration occurred near the iconic Burj Al Arab in Jumeirah, where the Crown Prince rode as a passenger in a fully driverless vehicle operated by Baidu’s Apollo Go platform.

    The Dubai royal shared footage of the autonomous journey through his Instagram account, which boasts over 17 million followers, accompanied by the caption: ‘Hands off. Future On. #SelfDrivingCar.’ The video evidence reveals the vehicle navigating urban environments independently, executing turns at intersections without human intervention while Matar Al Tayer, Director General of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, observed from the rear seat.

    This demonstration represents a significant milestone in Dubai’s smart mobility initiatives, marking the first international deployment of Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous service outside China. The Roads and Transport Authority has granted the Chinese technology company a pioneering license to conduct public road testing without safety drivers—a first-of-its-kind authorization in the region.

    Supported by an operations and control center established at Dubai Science Park, the autonomous vehicle trials encompass designated zones including Jumeirah and Zabeel. The current testing phase utilizes approximately 50 sixth-generation RT6 self-driving vehicles, with plans to expand the fleet beyond 1,000 units in forthcoming years. During supervised trial runs, these vehicles have demonstrated capability to reach speeds of 72km/h while autonomously changing lanes on Jumeirah Road.

    Industry observers anticipate the transition from testing to operational robotaxi services could occur as early as the first quarter of 2026, positioning Dubai at the forefront of autonomous transportation implementation globally.

  • What are Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities? Types, ranges explained

    What are Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities? Types, ranges explained

    As Iran prepares to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman this Friday, its substantial ballistic missile capabilities remain a declared non-negotiable element of national defense strategy. Tehran maintains one of the Middle East’s most extensive missile arsenals, which recently demonstrated operational effectiveness during the June 2025 conflict with Israel, where Iranian salvos inflicted significant damage on central and northern regions of the country.

    According to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War and AEI Critical Threats Project, Israeli counterstrikes potentially neutralized approximately one-third of Iran’s missile launchers during the hostilities. Despite these losses, Iranian officials assert that military capabilities have not only been restored but enhanced beyond pre-conflict levels.

    Ballistic missiles represent rocket-propelled weapons systems that follow a parabolic trajectory, initially guided during ascent before entering free-fall under gravitational forces. These delivery mechanisms can accommodate conventional explosives or theoretically, weapons of mass destruction payloads, categorized by operational ranges from short-distance to intercontinental capabilities.

    The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirms Iran possesses the region’s largest ballistic missile inventory, with self-imposed range limitations of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) – sufficient to reach Israeli territory. Strategic deployment includes multiple underground facilities termed ‘missile cities’ located near Tehran, Kermanshah, Semnan, and Gulf-adjacent provinces.

    Key systems in Iran’s arsenal include:
    – Sejil: 2,000-2,500 km range with reported velocities exceeding 17,000 km/h
    – Emad: 1,700 km range capability
    – Ghadr: 2,000 km operational distance
    – Shahab-3: 1,300 km range variant
    – Khorramshahr: 2,000 km reach
    – Hoveyzeh: 1,350 km capacity

    Additional systems include the Zolfaghar (700 km), Shahab-1 (300 km), and the nuclear-capable Kh-55 cruise missile with 3,000 km range. The program has benefited from reverse-engineered technology primarily from North Korean and Russian designs, with reported Chinese technical assistance.

    Military analysts note Iran’s continuing development of underground transport and firing systems, with the first successful underground ballistic missile test conducted in 2020. Technological advancements include lightweight composite materials for extended range and the June 2023 introduction of domestically produced hypersonic ballistic missiles capable of Mach 5 velocities and complex trajectories that challenge interception systems.

    Tehran positions its missile program as a strategic deterrent against the United States, Israel, and regional adversaries. Operational deployments have included strikes against US forces in Iraq (2020), Islamic State targets in Syria (2024), and Baloch militant bases in Pakistan, demonstrating both regional reach and tactical application.

  • Tangible steps urged to boost Sino-US ties

    Tangible steps urged to boost Sino-US ties

    In a significant diplomatic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump conducted their first head-of-state telephone conversation of 2026 on Wednesday, coinciding with the traditional Chinese Start of Spring festival. The extensive discussion has been characterized by observers as potentially opening doors to renewed bilateral cooperation amid global turbulence.

    The dialogue established several key diplomatic milestones for the coming year, with President Xi highlighting parallel national priorities: China’s initiation of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the United States’ approaching 250th anniversary celebrations. Additionally, both nations are poised to host major international gatherings—China will chair the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting while the United States prepares to host the G20 Summit.

    President Xi articulated his vision for the relationship through maritime metaphor, expressing hope to “steer the giant ship of China-US relations steadily forward through winds and storms” toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. He emphasized the philosophical approach that “it is always right to do a good thing, however small, and always wrong to do a bad thing, however small.”

    President Trump acknowledged the relationship as “the most important in the world,” noting positive economic and trade developments while committing to further progress throughout his remaining presidential term. In subsequent social media communications, Trump characterized the exchange as “a long and thorough call” anticipating “many positive results” over the next three years.

    Academic analysts from both nations highlighted the conversation’s significance. Professor Diao Daming of Renmin University observed that the communication “made clear the great significance of the year 2026 to both nations and the world,” suggesting that mutual success rather than mutual obstruction should define the relationship. Professor Jia Qingguo of Peking University identified “hard-won opportunities” for collaboration in artificial intelligence and nuclear nonproliferation.

    The Taiwan question emerged as a critical component of discussions, with President Xi unequivocally stating China’s position on safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. He specifically addressed US arms sales to Taiwan, urging prudent handling of the matter. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that President Trump acknowledged understanding China’s position on Taiwan.

    Chen Binhua, spokesman for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, subsequently reinforced that Taiwan represents “the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations,” calling for US adherence to the one-China principle and existing bilateral agreements.

    International policy experts, including Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, suggested that tangible US actions—including tariff reductions and affirmed commitment to one-China policy—would be necessary to demonstrate good faith. Hufbauer warned that additional arms sales to Taiwan or expanded export controls would signal deterioration.

    Su Xiaohui of the China Institute of International Studies characterized the exchange as demonstrating China’s “responsible role” in complex geopolitical circumstances, emphasizing the mutual need to avoid miscalculation while advancing communication.

    The diplomatic engagement occurs against a backdrop of cautious optimism among observers who stress that concrete actions—particularly from the United States—must follow rhetorical commitments to realize the potential for stabilized relations between the world’s two largest economies.

  • Morocco evacuates 143,000 people in northwest as flood precaution

    Morocco evacuates 143,000 people in northwest as flood precaution

    Moroccan authorities have executed one of the largest emergency evacuations in recent history, relocating over 143,000 residents from vulnerable areas in the country’s northwest region. The massive precautionary operation, announced by the Interior Ministry on Thursday, comes as multiple hydrological threats converge to create potentially catastrophic flooding conditions.

    The evacuation decision follows sustained heavy rainfall that has saturated watersheds throughout the northwestern plains, causing rivers to swell beyond their normal capacity. Compounding the natural water accumulation, reservoir managers have been compelled to release controlled overflow from dams that have reached maximum capacity after prolonged precipitation.

    This preventive measure reflects Morocco’s enhanced disaster preparedness protocols, which have been strengthened following previous flood tragedies. The region has historically experienced devastating inundations, including a recent flash flood incident that claimed numerous lives and represented the deadliest water-related disaster in a decade.

    The coordinated evacuation involved multiple government agencies working in tandem to ensure resident safety while minimizing disruption. Those displaced have been moved to designated emergency shelters equipped with essential supplies and personnel trained in crisis management.

    Meteorological indicators suggest the precipitation pattern will continue throughout the week, maintaining pressure on water management systems and keeping flood risks elevated. The government has maintained constant monitoring of hydrological data while keeping emergency response teams on high alert across affected provinces.

  • Ghaziabad sisters tragedy: Father denies financial woes caused daughters’ death

    Ghaziabad sisters tragedy: Father denies financial woes caused daughters’ death

    A devastating family tragedy in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has taken a complex turn as conflicting narratives emerge surrounding the apparent suicide of three teenage sisters. The girls—identified as Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12)—reportedly leaped from their ninth-floor apartment in the Bharat City housing society during the early hours of February 4th.

    Their father, Chetan Kumar, has vehemently denied financial pressures contributed to the incident, instead attributing the tragedy to his daughters’ intense fixation with Korean pop culture. In statements to Indian media, Kumar revealed the girls had demanded to be taken to Korea and had adopted Western names—Aliza, Cindy, and Maria—reflecting their cultural obsession. “They asked me to take them to Korea. But I said we are Indians. They got angry and even refused to eat,” Kumar told India Today, adding they had threatened suicide if their demands weren’t met.

    However, investigative reporting by local media reveals complicating factors in Kumar’s account. India Today reports Kumar, a stock trader, carries substantial debt exceeding Rs20 million (approximately Dh813,000). Additionally, he maintains two marriages (to sisters) and had withdrawn all three daughters from formal education approximately two years prior to the incident.

    Police discovered a poignant suicide note that partially corroborates the cultural obsession narrative. “I am really sorry, sorry papa,” the note began, while wall writings in their room stated: “My life is very, very alone.” A diary entry obtained by authorities read: “We love Korea, love, love, love… How will you make us leave Korea? Korea was our life, so how dare you make us leave our life?”

    An eyewitness account from neighbor Arun Singh, who was on his tenth-floor balcony opposite the girls’ apartment, provides chilling details of the final moments. Singh reported seeing the eldest sister sitting precariously on the window ledge around 2 AM, rocking back and forth. “Suddenly, the older sister toppled backwards and fell through the window, and the second sister came with her. The youngest sister, who too was at the window, appeared to lunge forward to catch them, but she too fell through the opening.”

    Senior police officer Nimish Patil confirmed the investigation continues, examining all aspects including financial pressures, cultural influences, and family dynamics that may have contributed to this profound tragedy.

  • How did Harry Potter villain become Chinese Lunar New Year symbol?

    How did Harry Potter villain become Chinese Lunar New Year symbol?

    In an unexpected cultural phenomenon, Draco Malfoy—the aristocratic antagonist from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series—has emerged as an unconventional mascot for China’s Lunar New Year celebrations. The character’s sudden popularity stems from the Chinese translation of his surname, “Ma-er-fu,” which combines the words for “horse” and “fortune,” making it particularly auspicious for the Year of the Horse.

    Social media platforms across China have been inundated with images showcasing vibrant red posters featuring Tom Felton’s portrayal of the Slytherin student adorning household doors and commercial spaces. E-commerce platform Taobao reports robust sales of Malfoy-themed merchandise, with packages of four decorative posters selling for approximately 11 yuan ($1.60). One Rednote user encapsulated the trend by stating: “Year of the Horse’s blessing, so stick on a Malfoy.

    The phenomenon has reached monumental proportions, with photographs circulating online depicting a massive multi-story banner of Malfoy in his Hogwarts uniform draped across a shopping mall in central Henan province. This unusual adoption occurs despite the character’s villainous role in the original narrative.

    This cultural adaptation highlights the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter franchise in China, where foreign film representation remains limited due to strict import quotas and growing domestic content production. The wizarding world’s commercial presence continues expanding, with Warner Bros recently announcing collaboration with Jinjiang International to develop a Harry Potter Studio Tour in Shanghai. Additionally, Beijing’s Universal Studios features extensive Harry Potter-themed attractions, and the film series enjoyed successful re-releases in Chinese theaters during 2024.