New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Poor oversight of cross‑border trade in hazardous electronic waste has left Bangladesh a net importer of e‑waste, raising alarms about environmental and public‑health risks, a new report has said.The report from Eco-Business cited a National Board of Revenue (NBR) document showing 40 companies declared imports under HS code 8549 — the customs code for e‑waste — multiple times from 2022 to 2025, in apparent breach of the Basel Convention.Combined imports under …

Jerusalem, June 19 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday warned that Israel will not tolerate attacks on its soldiers or its territory, and will exact a “very heavy price’ from Hezbollah for killing four soldiers in Lebanon on Thursday.”I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the Commander of the Armored Corps 52nd Battalion, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, and of three heroic fighters whose names have not yet been cleared for publication, may God avenge their blood…

Islamabad, June 19 (IANS) Several human rights activists have expressed grave concern over the increasing threat to religious freedom in Pakistan, citing discriminatory policies, social attitudes and inadequate enforcement of constitutional protections, local media reported.Addressing a symposium titled ‘Advancing Religious Freedom Through Education: Emerging Challenges, Opportunities and Responses’ held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretariat in Lahore, Pakistani lawyer Hi…

Washington, June 19 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has singled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi as one of the world’s toughest leaders, a view he expressed both in a newly published Axios interview and during his recent bilateral meeting with the Indian leader in France. In an interview with Axios, excerpts of which were published on Thursday, Trump named Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi as the world leaders he most admires.According to Axios, Trump praised Xi as “all busin…

Rome, June 19 (IANS) Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday announced the cancellation of his planned visit to Miami for a business forum, after the controversy over US President Donald Trump’s comments on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.“The serious and offensive words of President Trump towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22…

Islamabad, June 19 (IANS) The killing of an elderly Sikh couple inside a gurdwara in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sparked fears among religious minorities, who have said they have long been targeted by radical Islamist groups, a report has detailed. On June 17, Jagannath Wanti (72) and his wife, Asa Wanti (69) were inside a gurdwara in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire and fled, police said.Sahib Singh, a Sikh elder from Peshawar said, “The…

Taipei, June 19 (IANS) Taiwan’s Coast Guard has warned off a Chinese oceanographic research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 22, from its restricted waters, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Friday. The vessel entered Taiwan’s restricted waters off the coast of Su’ao in Yilan County on Thursday at 11:35 pm (local time), according to the statement released by the CGA. The Coast Guard sent the 600-tonne-class Lanyu patrol vessel and the 100-tonne-class patrol boat PP-10077 to shadow the Chin…

Tokyo, June 19 (IANS) As many as 11 people, including eight children, were injured after a fire erupted at an elementary school in Japan’s Tokyo on Friday, local media reported citing authorities. Majority of the injured suffered smoke inhalation at the school in Kita Ward while two students broke their arms and a female teacher fractured her pelvis, authorities said. The fire incident was reported at around 11 am (local time), according to the local fire department.The fire erupted in a storage…

Copenhagen, June 19 (IANS) An Indian delegation met with the Danish State Secretary and the Maritime Security envoy to discuss the global security environment, especially in the maritime field, the Indian Embassy in Denmark said Friday.“The inaugural Maritime Security Dialogue between India and Denmark was held this week,” the Embassy of India wrote on X.”The Indian delegation led by Ms Subhashini Narayanan, Joint Secretary, D&ISA Division, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), comprising …

Bratislava/New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted traditional artefacts, ancient texts, and regional delicacies to Slovak leaders during his historic visit to Slovakia, underscoring India’s rich cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions. The gift presented by PM Modi to Slovak President Peter Pellegrini included handcrafted Thewa motif cufflinks, a Himroo silk tie, a pocket square and a brass Dokra antelope set.The handcrafted Thewa motif cufflinks showcase the trad…