Thursday, March 13, 2025

Pakistan tightens security on its western borders after the train hostage incident

Intro:

Days after armed separatists hijacked a passenger train in southwestern Pakistan, the country's military says it is conducting search operations to 'rule out any remaining threats'.

All train services to the province of Balochistan have been suspended indefinitely and the government says security in the region will be hiked.

Hira Mustafa brings the latest from Islamabad.

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Dur: 38 sec



Former Philippines leader in ICC custody

The former President of the Philippines has been taken into custody by
the International Criminal Court and faces charges of crimes against
humanity.

Rodrigo Duterte is accused of orchestrating the murders of thousands
of people as part of his war on drugs campaign.

Europe correspondent William Denselow reports.


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U.N. report accuses Israeli military of "systematic use" of "gender-based violence" in Gaza


A new U.N. report accuses Israel's military of the "systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence" during the conflict in Gaza.

Israel's government has dismissed the report as "biased."

Giles Gibson has more from Tel Aviv.

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US OFFICIALS TRAVEL TO RUSSIA FOR UKRAINE TALKS

Officials from the US are travelling to Russia to discuss a potential ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine.

The Trump administration is hoping to build on Tuesday's agreement with Kyiv.

The Kremlin says it's studying the ceasefire proposals and a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is possible.

Deputy Assistant to the US President Sebastian Gorka says Donald Trump will react if Russia doesn't cooperate.

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Mosques covered up in India ahead of Hindu festival Holi

Intro:

Mosques in cities in India's most populous state are being covered with plastic sheets amid concerns about vandalism during the Hindu festival of holi this week.

Holi is one of the most significant festivals for Hindus and is being celebrated on Friday - when millions of muslims will be offering Ramadan prayers.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

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Duration: 35 sec

China says US owes ‘Big Thank You’ on fentanyl, urges talks

INTRO: China said it has cracked down on the fentanyl trade and condemned President Donald Trump's tariffs.

A Foreign Ministry official said Beijing has done the US a favor and Washington should have said a "big thank you" instead of slapping levies on Chinese imports. Laura Westbrook has more.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

EUROPE'S BIGGEST MILITARY SPENDERS TALK UKRAINE AND SECURITY

At a meeting of European defence ministers in Paris, France's Sebastien Lecornu revealed 15 countries are willing to contribute to a "new security architecture" in Ukraine.

It comes as Moscow considers an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposed by Washington and Kyiv.

Stuart Smith has more from the French capital.

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Trump will "of course" respond to EU & Canadian tariffs

US President Donald Trump says he will "of course" respond to
retaliatory tariffs announced by Canada and the European Union.

Earlier the EU said it would begin adding duties on $28bn dollars
worth of US goods from next month.

While Canada announced 25% tariffs on $20-30bn dollars worth of goods.

Both were responding to the Trump administration's 25% duty on steel
and aluminum imports which came into effect on Wednesday.

Trump made the comments during a meeting with the Irish prime minister
at the White House.

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Trump said he would easily beat Canada's tariffs.

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President Trump has again pushed NATO to increase defense spending,
ahead of meeting the group's Secretary-General at the White House on
Thursday.

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UN Secretary General announces plans to cut costs at the world body

The United Nations Secretary General has announced plans to
consolidate the world body to make it more cost-effective.
Antonio Guterres on Wednesday stated that the current liquidity crisis
has necessitated a full review of the organisation as it enters its
80th year of existence.
Jody Jacobs reports from New York.

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​Texas measles outbreak spreads to Oklahoma

A measles outbreak among unvaccinated individuals in Texas has now spread to another neighboring state - Oklahoma - with two confirmed cases of the highly contagious disease. Infections have now been reported in more than a dozen states.  Toni Waterman has more from Texas.

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US: INFLATION COOLS IN FEBRUARY - SURPRISING SOME ECONOMISTS

New CPI data in the US shows that prices for goods and services rose less than expected last month, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.8 percent, less than the forecast 2.9%.

Mitch McCann reports from New York:

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Israel and Lebanon to hold talks over land border


Israel has agreed to hold talks with Lebanon to try to demarcate the border between the two countries.

Five Lebanese citizens were also handed over as part of a deal sealed by the U.S. and western allies.

Giles Gibson reports from Tel Aviv.

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OUT: "...Giles Gibson, Tel Aviv."
DUR:  00:33



The security operation in Pakistan's southwestern province continues

Intro:

Pakistan intensifies its military operation in the southwestern province.

This comes as a banned militant group has taken passengers hostage on a train.

The South Asian country faces a prolonged struggle with security challenges, and this attack is the most recent in a string of such incidents.

Hira Mustafa brings the latest from Islamabad.

In: The..

Out: .....hostages.

Dur: 44 seconds


ECOWAS Activates Standby Counter-terrorism Force

INTRO

The regional bloc, ECOWAS, has activated its standby force to tackle terrorism in West Africa.


It is expected to serve as a rapid deployment force to swiftly respond to threats in the region.


The group announced this at the 43rd ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defense staff in Abuja.


Correspondent Ajeck Mangut reports.


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U.S. and Ukraine to discuss details of the ceasefire proposal in the coming days

The United States and Ukraine will discuss the details of the proposed ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow in the coming days.

The Ukrainian president's chief of staff was speaking after the two sides agreed on a temporary halt to the war - though Russia still needs to agree to the idea for it to be implemented.

Ross Cullen reports.

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EU retaliates to US tariffs

The European Union has unveiled countermeasures in response to the
Trump administration's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel
and aluminum imports.

The EU has promised a proportionate response and will begin adding
duties on 28 billion dollars worth of U.S. goods from next month.

William Denselow reports from Brussels.

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EU ANNOUNCES US COUNTER-TARIFFS

The European Union says it will impose counter-tariffs on $28bn of US goods from next month.

It follows US tariffs coming into force on all steel and aluminium imports to the country.

US President Donald Trump says the tariffs will boost domestic production - but critics say they will lead to price rises and harm economic growth.

The UK is not announcing immediate retaliatory measures, according to Treasury minister James Murray.

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US Vice President JD Vance to visit India this month - report

US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, according to media reports.

The visit would come amid concern in India about the potential impact of reciprocal tariffs that the US is threatening to impose on India.

Rebecca Bundhun reports.

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Musk's Starlink signs deal with India's biggest telecom operators

Intro:

Elon Musks's starlink has signed deals with two Indian telecom operators with more than 70% market share in the world's most populous country.

It comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the tech mogul during his US visit last month.  

The deal is contingent on starlink getting security clearance from the Indian government to operate in the country though.

Ishan Garg tells us more from New Delhi.

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Duration: 36 seconds

Most Asian stocks drop as Trump trade policy sows uncertainty

INTRO: Asian equities mostly fell Wednesday as investors continued to worry over Donald Trump's trade policies amid increasing concern that his tariffs could send the US economy into recession.

Tokyo edged up along with Seoul, Jakarta and Taipei. But Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Manila were in the red, with Sydney down more than one percent, on concerns about the impact of Trump's latest tariffs on Australia's economy. Laura Westbrook reports.