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Jatinder Gaurav, President of the Global Christian Action Committee, has assumed charge as Chairman of the Minorities Commission Punjab

Shasi Kumar
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Jatinder Gaurav, President of the Global Christian Action Committee, has assumed charge as Chairman of the Minorities Commission Punjab

Jalandhar, Punjab – Jatinder Gaurav, President of the Global Christian Action Committee (GCAC), today assumed charge as the Chairman of the Punjab Minorities Commission following a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Speaking at Sophia College, Jalandhar City, Mr. Gaurav expressed heartfelt gratitude to his spiritual father, Apostle Ankur Narula, crediting his prayers for this significant appointment. He also thanked the Chief Minister for placing trust in his leadership, pledging to fulfill the responsibility with sincerity and dedication.

“I will not only address the concerns of the Christian community but also ensure that the issues of all minority communities in Punjab are heard and resolved,” he stated. Among his immediate priorities, he highlighted the resolution of matters related to Christian graveyards and Panchayat land for villages, in consultation with the Punjab government.

Mr. Gaurav praised the state government under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for promoting “honest, fair, and forward-thinking leaders” to serve the people. Representatives of the Global Christian Action Committee — including Bunty Ajnala, Wealth Masih, and others — were present to congratulate him, adorning him with garlands of flowers.

GCAC members assured full support to the new Chairman, expressing confidence that he would work to extend the benefits of government welfare schemes to minority communities across the state.

A respected resident of Jalandhar, Jatinder Gaurav has earned wide recognition for his social service work, particularly in advocating for the rights and welfare of Punjab’s minority communities.

About the Global Christian Action Committee (GCAC)

The Global Christian Action Committee (GCAC) is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization dedicated to defending persecuted Christians and protecting churches worldwide. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Jalandhar, Punjab, the GCAC works with a clear mission — to inspire believers to deepen their faith in Christ and fulfill His Great Commission, regardless of challenges or opposition.

Established in response to increasing reports of discrimination, violence, and suppression faced by Christian communities, the GCAC is committed to the preservation, safety, and dignity of Christians around the globe. The organization firmly believes that wherever Christians thrive, peace, compassion, and development naturally follow.

Guided by the words of the Lord — “Go and preach the Word” — the GCAC actively supports peaceful evangelism, church planting, and humanitarian development. However, in some regions, Christians are unfairly targeted, with efforts to restrict their right to preach, gather, and practice their faith. The GCAC takes a resolute stand against such persecution, treating the biblical command to spread the Gospel as a divine law above all human interference.

SOURCE : GCAC VIA DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

U.S. summit in Alaska a ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says Ukraine’s Zelensky

Diplomat Times
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U.S. summit in Alaska a ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says Ukraine’s Zelensky

Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday (August 12, 2025) that Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had scored a “personal victory” by getting invited to talks with Donald Trump on U.S. soil, and that the meeting further delayed sanctions on Moscow. Mr. Zelensky also ruled out withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region as part of a peace deal, after Mr. Trump suggested he and Mr. Putin might negotiate a land swap to end the war.

The summit, set to take place in Alaska on Friday, will be the first between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since 2021 and comes as Mr. Trump seeks to broker an end to Russia’s nearly three-and-a-half year war in Ukraine.

RELATED NEWS : Zelenskyy to visit Berlin for meetings ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Mr. Zelensky, who is not scheduled to take part, has expressed concern that Russia will put forward hard-line demands and that Trump will hammer out a deal that will demand Ukraine cede swathes of territory.

“We will not withdraw from the Donbas… if we withdraw from the Donbas today — our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control — we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive,” Zelensky told reporters.

The Donbas encompasses the eastern Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, both of which Russia claims as its own and has sought to control since its invasion began in 2022.

Zelensky said Friday’s summit would effectively postpone new US sanctions on Russia — sanctions that Trump had promised to impose if Putin refused to halt his war.

“First, he will meet on US territory, which I consider his personal victory. Second, he is coming out of isolation because he is meeting on US territory. Third, with this meeting, he has somehow postponed sanctions,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky also said he had received a “signal” from US envoy Steve Witkoff that Russia might agree to a ceasefire, without elaborating.

“This was the first signal from them,” Zelensky said.

On the battlefield, Zelensky warned Russia had made sharp advances near the coal mining town of Dobropillia and was planning new ground assaults on at least three different areas of the front line.

“Russian units have advanced 10 kilometres (six miles) deep in several spots. They all have no equipment, only weapons in their hands. Some have already been found, some destroyed, some taken prisoner. We will find the rest and destroy them in the near future,” Zelensky said.

A map published by Ukrainian battlefield monitor DeepState, which has close ties with Ukraine’s military, showed Russia had made a double-pronged advance around 10 kilometres (six miles) deep in a narrow section of the front line near Dobropillia.

Dobropillia, home to around 30,000 people before the war, has come under regular Russian drone attacks.

The advance also threatens the largely destroyed town of Kostiantynivka, one of the last large urban areas in the Donetsk region still held by Ukraine.

Russian forces have been accelerating their advances for months, pressing their advantage against overstretched Ukrainian troops.

The Ukrainian army said Tuesday it was engaged in “difficult” battles with Russian forces in the east, but denied Russia had a foothold near Dobropillia.

“The situation is difficult and dynamic,” it said in a statement.

‘New offensive’

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, said Russia was sending small sabotage groups forwards.

It said it was “premature” to call the Russian advances around Dobropillia “an operational-level breakthrough”.

A Ukrainian military group that oversees parts of the front in the Donetsk region also said Russia was probing Ukrainian lines with small sabotage groups, describing battles as “complex, unpleasant and dynamic”.

Trump has described his summit with Putin on Friday as a chance to check the Russian leader’s ideas for ending the war.

European leaders have meanwhile sought to ensure respect for Kyiv’s interests.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, has made costly but incremental gains across the front in recent months and claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions while still fighting to control them.

Ukrainian police meanwhile said that Russian attacks in the past hours had killed three people and wounded 12 others, including a child.

SOURCE : AFP |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Zelenskyy to visit Berlin for meetings ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Diplomat Times
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Zelenskyy to visit Berlin for meetings ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Mr. Zelenskyy will first meet with European leaders to prepare for a virtual conference with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance

Berlin, Germany — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Berlin on Wednesday to join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for talks with European and U.S. leaders ahead of the Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government said.

Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings on Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine’s leaders heard ahead of a summit that they have been sidelined from.

RELATED NEWS : Zelenskiy calls Indian, Saudi leaders ahead of Trump-Putin talks

Zelenskyy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the “coalition of the willing” — those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv — will take place last.

On Wednesday, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia’s invasion.

Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in late May.

The stakes for Europe

Trump has said he wants to see whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday’s summit as “a feel-out meeting” where he can assess the Russian leader’s intentions.

Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender.

European allies have pushed for Ukraine’s involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favor Moscow.

Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskyy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskyy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday’s summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with “Putin and Zelenskyy and me.”

The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia’s energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favorable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them.

The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine.

Land concessions a non-starter for Kyiv

Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.

He said diplomatic discussions led by the U.S. focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations.

Three weeks after Trump returned to office, his administration took the leverage of Ukraine’s NATO membership off the table — something that Putin has demanded — and signaled that the EU and Ukraine must handle security in Europe now while America focuses its attention elsewhere.

Trump has also routinely threatened and cajoled his NATO allies over defense spending, and has shown little mercy in trade talks by hiking tariffs on most EU imports to 15%, ostensibly for U.S. national security reasons.

Senior EU officials believe that Trump may be satisfied with simply securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and is probably more interested in broader U.S. geostrategic interests and great power politics, aiming to ramp up business with Russia and rehabilitate Putin.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Zelenskiy calls Indian, Saudi leaders ahead of Trump-Putin talks

Diplomat Times
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Zelenskiy calls Indian, Saudi leaders ahead of Trump-Putin talks

Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with the leaders of India and Saudi Arabia on Monday in a bid to rally support beyond Europe, just days before a planned meeting between former U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskiy’s outreach follows a weekend of diplomatic backing from European and NATO leaders, amid fears in Kyiv that Washington and Moscow could attempt to dictate terms for ending the 3½-year war.

RELATED NEWS : European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

In separate statements, Zelenskiy said he had discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — both of whom have taken cautious stances on Russia’s invasion. India remains a major buyer of Russian oil, while Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict.

“Communication with leaders is ongoing practically around the clock – we are in constant touch,” Zelenskiy wrote on X. “Now is the moment when there is a real chance to achieve peace.”

During what he called a “long conversation” with Modi, Zelenskiy also raised the issue of sanctions on Russian oil. Trump last week announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude. “It is necessary to limit the export of Russian energy, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war,” Zelenskiy said, urging leaders with “tangible leverage over Russia” to act.

Putin, meanwhile, has been conducting his own diplomatic push, speaking in recent days with the leaders of China, India, Brazil, and three former Soviet states to brief them on his contacts with the United States regarding Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Germany will host a virtual meeting of European leaders to discuss ways to pressure Russia ahead of a planned European call with Trump. Zelenskiy, along with EU and NATO officials, is expected to participate.

Earlier Monday, the Ukrainian leader warned that making concessions to Moscow would not bring peace. “Russia refuses to stop the killings, and therefore must not receive any rewards or benefits,” he posted on X. “Concessions do not persuade a killer.”

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Trump on China tariff deadline: “We’ll see what happens” ahead of August 12

Diplomat Times
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Trump on China tariff deadline: “We’ll see what happens” ahead of August 12

Trump Noncommittal on August 12 China Tariff Deadline, Praises Beijing’s Cooperation

Washington, USA — U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday sidestepped a question about whether his administration would extend an August 12 deadline for sharply higher tariffs on Chinese imports, saying only, “we’ll see what happens,” while praising Beijing’s approach to ongoing trade talks.

“We’ve been dealing very nicely with China. As you have probably heard, they have tremendous tariffs that they’re paying to the United States of America,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “They’ve been dealing quite nicely,” he added, noting his “good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

RELATED NEWS : Indians urge boycott of American products over Trump’s 50% tariff decision

The tariff truce between the two economic powers, agreed in May, is due to expire on August 12. Without an extension, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would rise to 145%, while Chinese duties on American products would jump to 125%. The original 90-day truce followed negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, and allowed both sides time to seek a broader settlement. Talks resumed in Stockholm in late July but ended without a formal agreement to prolong the deadline.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that Washington was “optimistic” about securing a deal, describing progress as encouraging. Still, Trump has pushed for additional concessions from Beijing, including a call on Sunday for China to quadruple its purchases of American soybeans — a demand analysts say may be unrealistic. The president did not repeat that request during Monday’s remarks.

The latest round of diplomacy comes as both governments face mounting pressure to resolve a trade dispute that has disrupted global markets and strained supply chains. For now, the August 12 deadline remains a pivotal date for investors and businesses on both sides of the Pacific.

SOURCE : DT VIA REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

African Development Bank to Provide $500 Million for Ethiopia’s Mega Airport Project

Diplomat Times
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African Development Bank to Provide $500 Million for Ethiopia’s Mega Airport Project

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The African Development Bank (AfDB) will contribute up to $500 million towards the construction of a new airport in Ethiopia, projected to be Africa’s largest upon completion in 2029, the bank announced on Monday.

The state-owned Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement for the design of the four-runway facility near Bishoftu, a town located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa. The national carrier will fund 20% of the estimated $10 billion cost, with the remainder to be sourced from international creditors.

“The bank has itself earmarked up to $500 million, subject to board approval, to anchor the funding of this transformational regional integration project,” the AfDB said in a statement.

Last week, the bank revealed it is spearheading efforts to secure $7.8 billion in financing for the project, which is expected to have the capacity to handle 100 million passengers annually.

The Bishoftu airport is envisioned as a major regional aviation hub, bolstering Ethiopia’s position as a key player in African and global air transport.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Indians urge boycott of American products over Trump’s 50% tariff decision

Shasi Kumar
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Indians urge boycott of American products over Trump’s 50% tariff decision

New Delhi, India — American consumer giants from McDonald’s and Coca-Cola to Amazon and Apple are facing a surge of boycott calls in India as business leaders and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi protest against steep new US tariffs on Indian goods. The wave of anti-American sentiment, amplified online and on the streets, follows former US president Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50% duty on Indian exports — a move that has unsettled trade relations between New Delhi and Washington.

India has long been a critical growth market for US-based companies. Meta’s WhatsApp counts India as its largest user base, Domino’s operates more outlets here than anywhere else in the world, and Pepsi and Coca-Cola products dominate beverage shelves nationwide. Apple’s store openings still attract long lines, and Starbucks discounts draw crowds.

RELATED NEWS : Trump to increase tariffs on India because it continues to buy Russian oil

But the tariff dispute has shifted part of the public conversation toward “buying Indian.” The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an economic wing of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), staged rallies in several cities on Sunday urging consumers to shun American brands. The group has been circulating lists on WhatsApp recommending Indian alternatives for soaps, toothpaste, and soft drinks, and pushing graphics labeled “Boycott foreign food chains” with logos of McDonald’s and other US restaurants.

“People are now looking at Indian products. It will take some time to fructify,” said Ashwani Mahajan, the group’s co-convenor, calling the campaign “a call for nationalism, patriotism.”

The business community has joined in. Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of personal care brand Wow Skin Science, posted a video on LinkedIn urging support for local farmers and startups, and pushing to make “Made in India” a global phenomenon. “We have lined up for products from thousands of miles away. We have proudly spent on brands that we don’t own, while our own makers fight for attention in their own country,” Chowdhary said.

Rahm Shastry, CEO of car driver-on-call service DriveU, echoed that sentiment, writing that India should develop its own social media platforms like China’s WeChat, Weibo, and Youku to rival Twitter, Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook.

Prime Minister Modi, without naming specific companies, made a “special appeal” for self-reliance during a Sunday address in Bengaluru. “Indian technology companies make products for the world but now is the time for us to give more priority to India’s needs,” he said.

Still, US brands continue to expand in India despite the rhetoric. Tesla opened its second showroom in New Delhi on Monday, with Indian commerce ministry officials and representatives from the US embassy in attendance.

For some consumers, the political row has little bearing on daily choices. “Tariffs are a matter of diplomacy,” said Rajat Gupta, 37, as he enjoyed a 49-rupee ($0.55) coffee at a McDonald’s in Lucknow. “My McPuff, coffee, and fries are still good value for money.”

Globally, the tariff fallout is already being felt in other sectors. Toyota, which imports vehicles to the US, cut its full-year operating profit forecast by 16% on Thursday, projecting a nearly $10 billion hit from American duties on foreign-made cars.

Whether India’s boycott calls will translate into real changes in consumer spending remains uncertain. Indian retail chains like Café Coffee Day and Barista compete with Starbucks at home, but scaling globally has proved more challenging. By contrast, Indian IT giants like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys remain deeply embedded in the global economy, serving clients across continents.

For now, the boycott push serves both as a symbolic protest against Trump’s tariffs and as a rallying cry for economic nationalism. Whether it becomes a lasting shift in consumer behavior — or simply a political flashpoint — will depend on how the trade dispute evolves in the coming months.

SOURCE : DT VIA REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Diplomat Times
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European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Kyiv, Ukraine — European nations have rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation can’t be resolved without Kyiv, ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Trump had said Friday’s meeting in Alaska with his Russian counterpart was to discuss ending the more than three-year war.

RELATED NEWS : Trump Clinches Breakthrough Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

Zelenskyy responded by thanking European allies and wrote on X on Sunday: “The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people.”

Trump-Putin meeting spikes worries

Saturday’s statement by top European leaders came after the White House confirmed the U.S president was willing to grant Putin the one-on-one meeting Russia has long pushed for, and suggestions from Trump that a peace deal could include “some swapping of territories.” That raised fears that Kyiv may be pressured into giving up land or accepting other curbs on its sovereignty.

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they aren’t allowed to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Putin.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Saturday with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British Foreign Secretary’s weekend residence to discuss how to end the war.

Trump had earlier said he would meet with Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy.

The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although there’s no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

The statement

Saturday’s statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a “just and lasting peace” for Kyiv, including “robust and credible” security guarantees.

“Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” the statement said.

“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force,” the Europeans added.

A fruitless push toward a truce

A monthlong U.S.-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Trump had also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement. The deadline was Friday. The White House did not answer questions Saturday about possible sanctions.

The Kremlin earlier this week reiterated demands that Ukraine give up territory, abandon its bid to join NATO, and accept limits on its military, in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the rest of the country. Particularly galling for Kyiv is Moscow’s insistence that it cede pockets of eastern and southern Ukraine the Kremlin claims to have annexed, despite lacking full military control.

Mark Galeotti, an expert in Russian politics who heads the Mayak Intelligence consultancy in the United Kingdom, says Moscow’s tactic of encircling towns in eastern Ukraine has brought a string of territorial gains for Russia, and Putin “seems to feel he is still winning.”

“Putin does not appear to feel under pressure,” Galeotti argued in an analysis published Sunday by the UK’s Sunday Times newspaper.

He said that for Putin, “further delaying any more serious U.S. action and the optics of a meeting with the U.S. president will already be wins.”

Zelenskyy rules out giving up territory

Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine “will not give Russia any awards for what it has done” and that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”

Ukrainian officials previously told the AP privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraine’s inability to regain lost territories militarily. But Zelenskyy on Saturday insisted that formally ceding land was out of the question.

Galeotti argued that any deal that involves Ukraine abandoning territory would be “agonising” and politically dangerous for Zelenskyy.

Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, noted on Sunday that Kyiv will strive to boost its position ahead of the planned Trump-Putin meeting.

“Ahead lies an important week of diplomacy,” he said.

SOURCE : AGENCIES VIA AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Thailand again accuses Cambodia of planting land mines as 3 soldiers are hurt by blast along border

Marietta Reformado
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Thailand again accuses Cambodia of planting land mines as 3 soldiers are hurt by blast along border

Bangkok, Thailand — Three Thai soldiers were injured on Saturday when one stepped on a land mine while patrolling near the Cambodian border, the Thai army announced, accusing Cambodia of violating an international ban on such weapons.

The blast in Sisaket province came just two days after Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending last month’s deadly border clashes.

RELATED NEWS : Ceasefire Between Thailand and Cambodia Announced: Can It Bring Lasting Peace?

Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the incident “clearly demonstrates” the continued use of hidden mines in border areas, calling it “a significant obstacle” to peace efforts and a violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines.

Thailand’s foreign ministry claimed the explosion was the third such incident in less than a month and “confirmed” its suspicion that new mines were being laid in breach of international law.

Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (centre) with Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Seiha (left) and Thailand’s Acting Defence Minister General Nattaphon Narkphanit (right) in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, 2025. Photo: CNA/Fadza Ishak

Cambodia’s Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority rejected the accusation, saying it had “not, and will not, plant new land mines” and highlighting its internationally recognized record in clearing over one million mines from past conflicts.

The blast severely injured a Thai sergeant major, who lost his left foot, while two privates sustained minor wounds. Previous mine incidents have heightened tensions and sparked five days of clashes from July 24–28, the worst fighting between the neighbors in over a decade.

Artillery barrages and air strikes have killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 on both sides of the border.

A tenuous ceasefire has held since Thursday, when Thailand and Cambodia agreed to let ASEAN observers monitor contested border zones to prevent a resurgence of fighting.

SOURCE : AGENCIES VIA CNA |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Trump Clinches Breakthrough Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

Shasi Kumar
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Trump Clinches Breakthrough Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

Washington, USA — In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Donald Trump has brokered a landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, ending decades of hostilities over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

On Friday, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met at the White House to sign the historic accord, with Trump standing as a witness. Calling the deal “historic” and “long overdue,” Trump declared that both nations had committed to ending armed conflict “forever,” replacing it with “business, cooperation, and friendship.”

“Thirty-five years they fought, and now they are friends,” Trump said, hailing the agreement as a personal diplomatic triumph.

A Corridor for Peace
Central to the deal is the long-disputed transit link between Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave, passing through Armenian territory. Years of negotiations had stalled over control of the route—at times bringing the countries to the brink of renewed war.

Under the new agreement, a major rail and road corridor will be built, officially named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.” The corridor is expected to boost trade, reconnect communities, and provide a tangible symbol of reconciliation.

Aliyev praised the breakthrough, crediting Trump for achieving in six months what decades of talks had failed to deliver:

“We lost many years to wars and bloodshed, but today we start a new chapter. President Trump has done a miracle.”

Pashinyan called the accord a “significant milestone” that would allow both nations to focus on development and cooperation.

Beyond Peace — New Partnerships
The White House also announced that Trump had signed separate agreements with both countries, expanding cooperation in energy, technology, and artificial intelligence.

Analysts say the deal marks a major geopolitical shift in the South Caucasus. For decades, Russia had been the primary mediator, with President Vladimir Putin brokering the last truce. This time, however, both Armenia and Azerbaijan chose a U.S.-led peace framework—pushing aside Moscow’s proposals and reducing Russia’s influence in a region it has dominated for over a century.

Trump is expected to meet Putin in Alaska next week for further talks on regional security.

Ending a Long and Bloody Dispute
The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict began in the late 1980s over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated largely by ethnic Armenians.

RELATED NEWS : Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan at the Heart of the Middle Corridor

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the two nations fought a six-year war ending in 1994, leaving Armenia in control of much of the region. Azerbaijan regained significant territory in a 2020 war and in October 2023 launched a final military operation, forcing separatist forces to disarm and dissolving the enclave’s self-proclaimed government.

Friday’s agreement aims to end this cycle of violence permanently, with all three leaders expressing hope that it will usher in a new era of peace, economic growth, and regional integration in the Caucasus.

SOURCE : AGENCIES VIA AZ & DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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