International News
Iran blames US ‘maximalism’ as near-final Islamabad MoU collapses
Tehran, April 13: Iran has accused the United States of derailing a potential breakthrough agreement, saying that “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade tactics” prevented what was “inches away” from becoming the proposed “Islamabad MoU”, after 21 hours of intense negotiations ended without a deal.
In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had entered into its highest-level direct engagement with Washington in 47 years with sincerity and intent to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict, but lamented that there were “zero lessons earned”.
His assertion that both sides were “inches away” from finalising an agreement highlighted how close the talks had come to success before tensions escalated sharply at the final stage.
“In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with US in good faith to end war. But when just inches away from ‘Islamabad MoU’, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade. Zero lessons earned. Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity,” Araghchi posted on X.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough with the United States still exists, provided Washington changes its approach. He urged the US to abandon what he termed “totalitarianism” and to respect Iran’s rights, suggesting that such a shift could pave the way for an agreement.
“If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X, while praising members of the negotiating delegation.
Meanwhile, the United States announced that it will begin enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade of vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports from April 13, escalating tensions after high-stakes talks between Washington and Tehran failed to yield agreement on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
The move, announced by US Central Command (CENTCOM), follows a presidential directive and will target “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports”, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations,” CENTCOM said, adding that US forces would not impede ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
Commercial mariners have been advised to monitor official navigation warnings and remain in contact with US naval forces while operating in the region.
The announcement came hours after US President Donald Trump declared that negotiations with Iran had stalled over its nuclear ambitions, despite progress on other fronts.
Crime
Wanted fugitive Ganesh Balaso Kale deported from Thailand, arrested at Mumbai Airport

Mumbai, June 11: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said that it has successfully secured the deportation of Red Notice subject Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand to India.
The deportation process was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Embassy of India in Bangkok.
According to the officials, Kale is wanted in connection with cybercrime fraud, in which victims were lured by the offer of online part-time jobs. They were asked to make certain deposits as monetary investments and were later defrauded.
Investigators said that the accused used to operate a network of cyber financial criminals by involving various unsuspecting persons in the scam. “He used to lure individuals by promising interest/commission in exchange for allowing the use of their bank accounts for the transfer of illicit funds and subsequently utilised such accounts to cheat multiple innocent victims,” the officials said.
“The subject also allegedly instructed co-accused persons to arrange mobile phones and procure fake SIM cards to facilitate the commission of offences,” the CBI officials added.
Based on the Interpol Red Notice, the accused was located in Thailand. He was detained by the Thai Authorities on May 24 in Bangkok. Following due legal proceedings and close coordination between Indian and Thai authorities, the accused was successfully deported to India.
Officials announced that a Red Corner Notice for Kale was issued in May. He was successfully located, apprehended, and returned to India within about 20 days of the notice.
On Thursday, the accused arrived at Mumbai Airport, where he was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police’s Cyber Cell.
“The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels,” officials said.
Investigators said that over 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in the last few years through coordination between different agencies.
International News
Japan sees rising bear attacks, 27 injured or killed across 9 prefectures: Report

Tokyo, June 11: Bear attacks have left at least 27 people injured or dead across nine prefectures in Japan during the current fiscal year as of Wednesday noon, according to a tally by a public broadcaster.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, four of the victims were confirmed to have died after being attacked by bears.
By prefecture, Fukushima recorded the highest number of casualties with eight, followed by Akita with five, Iwate with four, Yamagata and Toyama with three each, and Tokyo, Niigata, Hokkaido, and Miyagi with one each, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting public broadcaster NHK.
Based on available information, at least 11 of the 27 victims were attacked within human living areas, including urban districts, farmland, and areas near their homes.
On June 2, four people were injured in a series of bear attacks in a neighbourhood of Fukushima City where businesses and residences are located.
On Tuesday, an elderly woman in her 80s in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, fell and suffered injuries to her arm and other areas after coming face-to-face with a bear in front of her home. The same day, a woman was attacked by a bear at a shrine parking lot in a mountainous area of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, sustaining injuries to her face and shoulder.
In addition, at least nine people, including three of those who died, are believed to have been attacked while visiting forests or mountainous areas to gather wild edible plants.
Meanwhile, more bear sightings have been recorded in urban areas, raising public concern. On Tuesday, a roughly 100 kg bear was cornered and tranquilised following four days of repeated sightings in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, prompting the temporary closure of all 94 municipal elementary and junior high schools. Another bear was captured Wednesday night near Amanohashidate, a famous scenic spot in Kyoto Prefecture, according to Kyodo News.
To help prevent bear attacks, the Ministry of the Environment urges people to carry radios or bear bells, travel in groups rather than alone, deliberately make loud noises in areas with poor visibility, avoid leaving food waste or other attractants that may draw bears, and check the latest bear sighting information issued by local governments.
International News
Trump claims Iran ready for nuclear deal

Washington, June 9: US President Donald Trump said that Iran was willing to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sign an agreement with the United States, as he claimed American military operations had severely weakened Tehran’s military capabilities.
Speaking during a virtual tele-rally for South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham ahead of Tuesday’s Republican primary, Trump devoted much of his remarks to Iran, ongoing negotiations and the broader security situation in the Middle East.
“We’re negotiating now and they wanna make a very good deal. They’re willing to give us everything. They’re willing to give us no nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and it’s as simple as that.”
Trump claimed US military action had inflicted extensive damage on Iran’s military infrastructure.
“We’ve decimated their military. We’ve decimated their, everything there is to decimate, including their leadership,” he said. “Their navy is totally gone. They had 159 ships. Every ship is underwater right now.”
The President predicted a favourable outcome from negotiations and said a formal declaration of victory could come soon.
“I think we are winning that battle, but you’re really gonna win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory,” Trump said. “It’ll be a total victory. It’ll happen very soon and oil prices will come tumbling down.”
The remarks came as Trump urged Republican voters in South Carolina to support Graham, a longtime ally who has been one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates of a hard line towards Iran.
“And Lindsey has been fighting with me all the way, all the way for that,” Trump said. “We’ve been a very tough team.”
Trump also praised Graham’s role on border security, military spending and conservative judicial appointments.
“I’ve known Senator Lindsey Graham for many years and he’s always been a tireless advocate for the people of South Carolina,” Trump said.
The President described Graham as having his “complete and total endorsement” and urged voters to support him in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
Trump also endorsed South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, calling her “an America first patriot” and predicting she would become a successful governor.
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