International News
1st female suicide bomber signifies new direction for Baloch insurgency
Shari Baloch, a 31-year-old mother of two, reportedly became the first woman to carry out a suicide bombing for the secular, ethnic Baloch rebels seeking independence for Pakistans largest and resource-rich province of Balochistan.
She killed three Chinese citizens and their Pakistani driver in front of the Confucius Institute in Karachi on April 26, RFE/RL reported.
The attack raised questions about what motivated an educated, happily married, middle-class woman to blow herself up. Many in Pakistan wonder whether the attack signifies a new direction for the two-decade-old Baloch insurgency that is locked in a violent stalemate with Islamabad, the report said.
Kiyya Baloch, an exiled journalist covering Balochistan, says the first attack by a female suicide bomber heralds the possibility of similar attacks in the future.
“It is a paradigm shift because until recently, the Baloch nationalists prided themselves in being secular and opposed to the kind of radicalization that results in extreme violent acts such as this one,” he said.
Kiyya Baloch says a wide-ranging Pakistani crackdown that has included military operations, forced disappearances, and even extrajudicial killings of the insurgency’s supporters fuels extreme desperation among those affected by the abduction or killing of their loved ones, RFE/RL reported.
“Both the state and the Baluch insurgents have adopted extreme positions,” he told RFE/RL.
“The state appears unwilling to give up its security-centric approach to Balochistan as it continues to prop up an artificial political leadership (in the region). On the other hand, the insurgents have been radicalised to an extent that they are now resorting to suicide bombings.”
Since 2000, Baloch rebel groups have been engaged in conflict with the Pakistani security forces in the vast southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran and hemmed in by the Arabian Sea.
Islamabad blames the rebels for attacks on government forces, installations, immigrants, and labourers from the eastern Punjab Province and even pro-Islamabad Baluch figures.
Baloch nationalists and human rights watchdogs accuse Pakistani security forces of grave human rights violations by adopting harsh methods such as forced disappearances and killings to crush the insurgency.
Continuing violence during the past two decades has transformed the insurgency. It began as a tribal rebellion but has evolved into a handful of shadowy groups now attracting educated, middle-class Baloch professionals, the report said.
International News
Trump claims Iran reset, orders nuclear dust cleanup

Washington, April 8: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he called a “very productive regime change” in Iran, saying the US would eliminate uranium enrichment and work to dig up and remove deeply buried nuclear “dust”.
In a series of posts, Trump outlined a framework that combined nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief and sharp trade penalties.
“The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive regime change!” he wrote on Truth Social, a day after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He asserted that Iran would no longer be allowed to enrich uranium. “There will be no enrichment of Uranium,” Trump said, adding that the United States would work with Iran to “dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) nuclear ‘dust.’”
Trump said the material remained under strict monitoring. “It is now, and has been, under very exacting Satellite Surveillance (Space Force!). Nothing has been touched from the date of attack,” he said.
The President also pointed to ongoing negotiations that could ease economic pressure on Tehran. “We are, and will be, talking tariff and sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been been agreed to,” he said, without detailing the terms or the parties involved.
Minutes later, Trump issued a warning to countries supplying weapons to Iran, signalling an aggressive escalation in trade policy.
“A country supplying military weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50 per cent, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions!” he said.
The dual messaging — offering sanctions relief while threatening sweeping tariffs — reflected a strategy that mixes economic coercion with conditional engagement.
International News
Despite ceasefire announcement, India issues fresh advisory, urges nationals to leave Iran expeditiously

Tehran, April 8: India on Wednesday advised its nationals in Iran to leave expeditiously, using only embassy-suggested routes despite the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
In an advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran said, “In continuation of the advisory of 07 April 2026, and in light of recent developments, Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy.”‘
“It is again reiterated that there should be no attempt to approach any international land border without prior consultation and coordination with the Embassy,” the Indian mission further said, adding the emergency contacts with the advisory.
This comes just hours after the US and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump stepped back from the brink of a major military escalation with Iran, announcing a conditional two-week pause in planned attacks tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a development that came as a big relief to people across the world.
The decision came 90 minutes before the self-imposed 8 p.m. EST deadline set by Trump for Iran to reach a deal, after backchannel diplomacy.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time), said he would “suspend” an escalation of attacks for two weeks if Iran agrees to open the key shipping route.
In a social media post, he said talks with Pakistan led to what he called a “double-sided ceasefire.”
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” Trump wrote.
He added that the United States had received “a 10-point proposal from Iran” that was “a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
Trump said “almost all of the various points of past contention” had been agreed, and the two-week pause would allow the agreement “to be finalised and consummated.”
The ceasefire is conditional. Trump said it depends on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran signalled tentative acceptance. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt operations if attacks stop.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he added.
International News
Iran agrees to open Strait of Hormuz after Trump’s 14-day ceasefire announcement

Tehran, April 8: Iran on Wednesday indicated its willingness to halt its military response provided that attacks against it are stopped, while also announcing a temporary opening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for a period of two weeks.
In a statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the development comes at a time when ceasefire negotiations are currently underway, signalling a possible de-escalation in ongoing tensions.
He further stated that a two-week window would be provided during which vessels would be allowed to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, subject to proper coordination with Iranian authorities and adherence to operational conditions.
Explaining the context of the move, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that the decision was taken “considering the request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations.”
He added that Iran’s position remains conditional and dependent on reciprocal actions.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations. For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi said, citing the stance of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Meanwhile, Trump also announced that he has agreed to suspend planned military strikes on Iran for two weeks.
“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” he said, describing the move as part of “a double-sided ceasefire”.
The announcement signals a temporary halt in what had been shaping up as a major escalation in the Gulf, with Trump asserting that US military goals had already been achieved.
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” he said.
Trump said Washington had received “a 10-point proposal from Iran,” which he described as “a workable basis on which to negotiate”.
“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran,” he added, suggesting that the pause would allow both sides to finalise terms.
“A two-week period will allow the Agreement to be finalised and consummated,” Trump said.
He framed the development as a breakthrough in efforts to stabilise the region, saying it was “an honour to have this long-term problem close to resolution.”
Trump’s post on Truth Social media came less than 90 minutes before his 8 p.m. EST deadline, wherein he had asked Iran to agree to a deal or face consequences to be bombed to the “Stone Age”.
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