Washington, Mar 13: An American military refuelling plane taking part in the operation against Iran crashed in Iraq and rescue efforts were underway, US Central Command said Thursday. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. A US official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the KC-135 aircraft that crashed had at least five crew members aboard. The crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, the military said in a statement, which described the plane as “a loss.” US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said that two aircraft were involved and that one landed safely and the other went down in western Iraq. A second US official, who similarly spoke on condition of anonymity, said the other plane involved also was a KC-135 tanker. “More information will be made available as the situation develops,” Central Command said. “We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.” The tanker is the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft to crash as part of the US military's operations against Iran. Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire. All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles and were in stable condition after being recovered, the US said. Seven American troops have been killed in combat during the Iran war so far, while about 140 US service members have been injured, including eight severely, the Pentagon said earlier this week. Both President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have warned that the Iran war would likely claim more American lives before it ends. Six of the fallen service members were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations centre at a civilian port in Kuwait. They were in the Army Reserve and worked in logistics, keeping troops supplied with food and equipment. They died one day after the US and Israel launched the military campaign against Iran on February 28. The Islamic Republic has retaliated with missiles and drones against Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host US armed forces. The seventh American service member died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Trump joined grieving families for a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base when the remains of the first six soldiers were returned to the United States. Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth and others saluted the seventh flag-draped transfer case as it arrived this week at Dover. The KC-135 tanker involved in the latest crash is based on the same design as the Boeing 707 airliner and entered military service more than 60 years ago. Like other long-serving aircraft, the planes have undergone various retrofits and upgrades over the years. The KC-135 tankers typically have a crew of three. It's not immediately clear what role the extra crew members were serving aboard the flight. According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, the Air Force last year had a total of 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.

Jerusalem, Mar 10: New footage shows what an expert investigative group says is likely an American Tomahawk missile hitting a compound in southern Iran, metres from the school where a deadly unclaimed blast killed over 165 people at the start of the war raging in the Mideast. It comes as mounting evidence points to US culpability for the February 28 strike, which hit a school adjacent to a Revolutionary Guard base in Minab, Iran, in the country's southern Hormozgan Province. Experts interviewed by The Associated Press, citing satellite image analysis, say the school was probably struck amid a quick succession of bombs dropped on the compound. A US official familiar with internal deliberations on the matter has told the AP that the strike was likely American. The official spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the sensitive matter. The new footage, first analysed by the investigative group Bellingcat, was taken the day the school was struck but circulated on Sunday by Iran's semiofficial Mehr news agency. It shows a missile hitting a building, sending a dark plume of smoke into the air. The AP was able to geolocate the video and determine it was taken from a site adjacent to the school, while smoke was already rising from the school vicinity. Satellite imagery of the compound is consistent with visual identifiers found in the video, including a flat-roofed building, power lines and vehicles. Trevor Ball, a Bellingcat researcher, identified the munition as a Tomahawk cruise missile -- which only the US is known to possess in this war. It is the first evidence of a munition used in the strike. US Central Command has acknowledged using Tomahawk missiles in this war and even released a photo of the USS Spruance, part of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group located within range of the school, firing a Tomahawk missile on February 28. Bellingcat said the footage "appears to contradict" US President Donald Trump's claim over the weekend that Iran was responsible for the deadly school blast. When asked about the strike at a press conference on Monday, Trump claimed that Iran has access to the Tomahawk cruise missile, which is made by American defence contractor Raytheon. While the company sells the missile to allied countries like Japan and Australia, there is no evidence to suggest that Iran has acquired it. Trump argued that the cruise missile is "sold and used by other countries" and that Iran "also has some Tomahawks". "Whether it is Iran or somebody else ... a Tomahawk is very generic," he said. When asked why he was the only person in his administration making the claim, Trump said, "Because I just do not know enough about it." He added that "whatever the report shows, I am willing to live with that report". On Saturday, Trump also was asked by a reporter whether the US was responsible for the blast. Without providing evidence, he responded, "No, in my opinion, based on what I have seen, that was done by Iran." Trump added that Iran is "very inaccurate" with its munitions. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth quickly chimed in to say the US was investigating. Neither the US military's Central Command nor the Israeli military immediately replied to requests for comment on Monday. Several other factors point to a US strike. One is the launching of an assessment of the incident by the US military. According to the Pentagon's instructions on processes for mitigating civilian harm, an assessment is launched after a group of investigators makes an initial determination that the US military may bear culpability. Another is the location of the school -- next to the Revolutionary Guard base and close to barracks for a naval unit. The US military has focussed on naval targets and acknowledged strikes in the province, including one in the vicinity of the school. Israel, which has denied conducting the strike, has focussed on areas of Iran closer to Israel and has not reported any strikes south of Isfahan, 800 kilometres (500 miles) away. Complicating any assessment of the incident is the lack of images of bomb fragments from the blast. No independent agency has reached the site during the war to investigate. Janina Dill, an expert on international law at Oxford University, wrote on X that even if the strike was a misidentification -- and the attacker believed that the school had been a part of the neighbouring IRGC base -- it would still be "a very serious violation of international law". "Attackers are under an obligation to do everything feasible to verify the status of targeted object," she wrote. The Trump administration, however, strikes a different tone on international humanitarian law. Speaking about the US operation at a press conference on March 2, Hegseth said: "America, regardless of what so-called international institutions say, is unleashing the most lethal and precise air-power campaign in history." "No stupid rules of engagement," he said. "No politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we do not waste time or lives." (PTI)

Dubai, Mar 10: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the war against Iran could be short-lived, but he left open the possibility of an escalation in fighting if global oil supplies are disrupted by the Islamic Republic, which chose a new hard-line supreme leader. Oil prices briefly shot to their highest level since 2022 a day after Iran selected Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as Iran's supreme leader. Investors saw it as a signal that Iran was digging in 10 days into the war launched by the United States and Israel. But prices later fell and US stocks rose on hopes that the war with Iran may not last much longer. "We took a little excursion" to the Middle East "to get rid of some evil. And, I think you will see it is going to be a short-term excursion", Trump told Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami. Hours later, Trump posted on social media: "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far." The war has choked off major supplies of oil and gas to world markets and sent fuel prices rising across the US. The fighting has also led foreigners to flee from business hubs and prompted millions to seek shelter as bombs hit military bases, government buildings, oil and water installations, hotels and at least one school. Trump also had a call on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war and other issues. Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Putin "voiced a few ideas regarding a quick political and diplomatic settlement" of the conflict following his conversations with Gulf leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Khamenei, a secretive 56-year-old cleric, is only the third supreme leader in the history of the Islamic Republic. He has close ties to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which has been firing missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf Arab states since his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled since 1989, was killed during the war's opening salvo. Multiple strikes shake Tehran Dozens of explosions were heard in Tehran in what was considered the heaviest air raid on the capital since the war started on February 28. Iranian media did not report on damages and casualties. Israel said on Monday that it was carrying out "a wide-scale wave of strikes" on the Iranian city of Isfahan, as well as Tehran and in southern Iran. The Israeli military said it hit dozens of infrastructure sites, including the drone headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard. Meanwhile, Israel's military alerted the population throughout the day about incoming missiles from Iran. From Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Monday. Trump said the United States was nearing its goal to eliminate Iran's ballistic-missile stockpile and its ability to produce and launch them. The administration has offered shifting rationales and timelines since the start of the conflict. He also talked about "building a new country", a comment that seemed to suggest the US might be engaged in the building of a new Iran. Trump likes idea of another 'internal' candidate to lead Iran Thousands poured into a central square in the capital, Tehran, and other locations in a show of allegiance to the new supreme leader, waving flags and shouting phrases like "Death to America" and "Death to Israel". The younger Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the war started, was long considered a potential successor -- even before the killing of his 86-year-old father. Trump told reporters that he was "disappointed" that Mojtaba Khamenei was picked and that he liked "the idea" of a leader drawn from an "internal" group of candidates, saying that worked well with Venezuela. The younger Khamenei is seen as even less compromising than his late father. As supreme leader, he has the final say on all major policies, including Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. Though Iran's key nuclear sites are in tatters after the US bombed them during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, it still has highly-enriched uranium that is a technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Khamenei could choose to do what his father never did -- build a nuclear bomb. Trump told reporters the war with Iran started because that country was working on a new site for developing material for nuclear weapons to replace one bombed last year by the US. Israel has already described Khamenei as a potential target. Trump said on Monday it "would be inappropriate" to say whether he would be targeted. US market seesaws over uncertainty of war The US stock market careened through a manic Monday, going from a steep early loss to a solid gain as worries turned into hope that the war with Iran may not last that long. Oil prices whipped from nearly USD 120 per barrel, the highest since 2022, back toward USD 90. Iran's attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have all but stopped tankers from using the shipping lane through which a fifth of the world's oil is carried, and Iranian drones and missiles have targeted oil and gas infrastructure in major producers. Attacks on merchant ships near the strait have killed at least seven mariners, according to the International Maritime Organisation. Kamal Kharazi, foreign policy adviser to the office of the supreme leader, told CNN on Monday that Iran is prepared for a long war. (PTI)

New Delhi, Mar 8: Indian airlines cancelled 279 international flights on Sunday due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The escalating conflict in the region involving the US, Israel and Iran has significantly disrupted flight operations due to airspace closures and restrictions. The civil aviation ministry on Sunday said that due to the ongoing situation in the Gulf, flight operations have been impacted across several sectors. "A total of 49 flight operations were scheduled today by Indian domestic carriers from West Asia to India. As on 8 March, 279 flights scheduled to be operated today by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled," the ministry said in a post on X. An official said that a total of 66 flights, including 34 departures and 32 arrivals, were cancelled at the Mumbai airport on Sunday. Delhi airport operator DIAL said that due to the current geopolitical developments in the Middle East, some west-bound international flights may experience delays or schedule changes. Meanwhile, Air India will operate 78 additional flights on nine international routes from March 10 to 18 to provide more travel options for passengers amid the disruptions due to the Middle East conflict. (PTI)

Dubai, Mar 8: Israel renewed its assault on southern Lebanon early Sunday as the war entered its ninth day and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” in the next phase of the conflict rippling across the region. The latest strikes in Lebanon killed 12 more people, pushing the death toll there above 300 after Israel ordered large swaths of the country to evacuate during an offensive that its military said would be aimed at stamping out Iran-supported forces there. Israel and the United States launched the war on Feb. 28, saying they were targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs and suggesting they sought to topple the government. The conflict has since spread across the region, rattling global markets, disrupting air travel and leaving Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes. Iran has fired missiles and drones at neighbouring countries in the Gulf, Israel has intensified attacks in Lebanon, and strikes have been reported from Cyprus to waters off of Sri Lanka. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out the next phase of the war late Saturday, saying Israel aims to destabilise Iran's regime and allow change in government, Israel launched another wave of strikes late Saturday, hitting an oil storage facility in Tehran — the first apparent strike on a civilian industrial site — sending pillars of fire into the night sky. The Iranian president apologises for the attacks but has limited power over them Iran has apologised for attacks on “neighbouring countries,” even as its missiles and drones continued striking sites in Gulf states — including attacks that have killed civilians — and hard-liners signalled Tehran would not change course. President Masoud Pezeshkian again struck a conciliatory tone on Sunday, calling Iran's neighbours friends and brothers while accusing the United States and Israel of using “manipulation” to sow discord between them in remarks aired on state television. “We will not bow our heads to bullying, injustice or intrusion,” he said. Pezeshkian and other Iranian leaders have underlined the limited powers exercised by theocracy's leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls ballistic missiles used to target Israel and other countries. It answered only to Khamenei and appears to be picking its own targets. The president is one of three members of a leadership council that has overseen Iran since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the war's opening airstrikes. A rift between politicians looking to de-escalate the war and others committed to battling the United States and Israel could complicate any diplomatic efforts. Pezeshkian's remarks came a day after he said the leadership council had been in touch with the armed forces and “from now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.” The US strikes have not come from the Gulf Arab governments under attack, but from US bases and vessels in the region. But hard-line judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, another member of the three-man council, suggested that the war strategy will not change. “The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue,” he posted on X. No sign of de-escalation Pezeshkian also dismissed US President Donald Trump's call for Tehran to surrender unconditionally, saying: “That's a dream that they should take to their grave.” Trump threatened that Iran would be “hit very hard” and more “areas and groups of people” would become targets, without elaborating. Already, the conflict has rattled global markets and left Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes. “We're not looking to settle,” Trump told reporters Saturday aboard Air Force One. “They'd like to settle. We're not looking to settle.” He described the ongoing US operations in Iran as an “excursion” and said issues such as rising gas prices and the safety of Americans would improve once the conflict ends. The US and Israel have targeted Iran's military capabilities, leadership and nuclear program. The war's stated goals and timelines have repeatedly shifted as the US has at times suggested it seeks to topple Iran's government or elevate new leadership. The fighting has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 290 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials in those countries. Six US troops have been killed. Strikes target other Gulf countries After Pezeshkian's apology, Iranian strikes kept coming. Bahrain says an Iranian drone attack caused “material damage” to a desalination plant — the first time a Gulf country said Iran has struck a desalination plant during the nine-day war. Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, and the region relies heavily on them for their water. Earlier Sunday, the United Arab Emirates said debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle and killed a driver. Four people have now been killed in the UAE since the war began. Authorities have said all were foreign nationals. The UAE urged residents to stay indoors on Sunday morning as its military responded to a drone attack. In Kuwait, authorities said a wave of drones targeted critical infrastructure, including fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and a government building in Kuwait City. At least two people were killed by strikes in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone headed toward its vast Shaybah oil field on Sunday and shot down four drones over the capital, Riyadh, including one aimed at the diplomatic quarter. Bahrain's Interior Ministry said that missile fragments fell onto a road in Manama, injuring one person and causing damage to several shops. (PTI)

New Delhi, Mar 7: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not be briefed on Israel's strikes against Iran during his recent visit to the country as the decision on the military action was made after he had concluded the trip. Modi undertook a two-day visit to Israel, which concluded on February 26. Two days later, Israel and the US launched a joint military offensive against Iran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Sa'ar, participating virtually in the Raisina Dialogue, said Israel has "great relations" with Modi and India that have deepened over the years. "But we could not brief Prime Minister Modi on this because the decision was taken only on Saturday early morning," he said. The decision to launch the attack was taken as the negotiations between the US and Iran collapsed, he indicated. Israel's military action against Iran is aimed at removing "existential threats" emanating from Iran, he said. Sa'ar said Iran is continuing its nuclear programme, developing ballistic missiles and backing Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. "Probably we will have to see a change in the regime in Iran," he said. (PTI)

Suhail Khan Srinagar, Mar 4: Nearly 200 Umrah pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are stranded in Saudi Arabia following the suspension of international flights due to escalating hostilities in West Asia. Family members and travel agents said the pilgrims, mostly from the Srinagar, Budgam, and Anantnag districts, are currently lodged in hotels in Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. Their scheduled return flights to India over the past 48 hours were canceled after multiple carriers suspended operations amid airspace restrictions. In Srinagar, families are struggling to get clarity on when their relatives will return. Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Nowhatta said his 68-year-old mother, Fatima, is among those stranded. “She calls multiple times a day. She completed her Umrah four days ago and was supposed to come back. We have no information on when the next flight will be,” he told Kashmir Square. A family from Dooru Anantnag said their two relatives—a married couple in their sixties—are lodged in a Jeddah hotel with nearly 50 other pilgrims from the Valley. "They said the hotel staff is cooperative, but the uncertainty is killing them. The wife told my mother, 'Hum yahan phans gaye. Dua karo jald se jald nikaal lo' (We are trapped here. Pray that we are taken out soon)," a family member said. Another pilgrim's son from Sopore said his father, a retired government employee, is trying to keep his fellow stranded travelers calm but is himself struggling with anxiety. "He told me, 'Main yahan logon ko samjha raha hoon, lekin andar se main bhi toot raha hoon. Tum log kuch karo' (I am counseling people here, but inside I am also breaking down. You people do something)," the son said. The delay has triggered financial worries for several families. Rouf Ahmad from Bijbehara said his brother and sister-in-law are stuck in a hotel in Medina. “Hotel bills are accumulating. They had not planned for an extended stay. We are appealing to the government to intervene,” he said. The Indian diplomatic missions in Jeddah and Riyadh have issued helpline numbers and said they are coordinating with tour operators and Saudi authorities. An official at the Embassy of India stated they are in “continuous touch” with airlines to facilitate the return of Indian nationals once flight operations normalize. Travel agents in the Valley said they are in contact with ground handlers in Saudi Arabia. “The pilgrims are safe and accommodated. But the longer the disruption continues, the more difficult logistics will become,” said Arshid Ahmad, said a travel agent in Lal Chowk. A senior official said that authorities have advised stranded pilgrims to remain in touch with their tour coordinators and register with the embassy helplines. No timeline has been provided for the resumption of commercial flights. He said that from the government's end, efforts are ongoing to bring all Indian pilgrims, students, and other businessmen back home from the conflict-hit region. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed concern for students, pilgrims, and businessmen from the union territory stranded in conflict-hit Iran and other West Asian countries. He stated that he had met with their parents and was monitoring the situation. He confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs is working to evacuate all remaining students, and efforts are also underway to bring back all stranded J&K residents from the West Asian countries.

London, Mar 3: With oil prices soaring and stocks tanking, the fast-evolving Iran war has cast a pall over the economic forecasts that British Treasury chief Rachel Reeves is set to unveil on Tuesday. Reeves had hoped her statement to the House of Commons would be a relatively low-key affair, with the forecasts showing the key economic numbers broadly heading in the right direction. However, economists are warning that the Iran war could upend the forecasts within her Spring Statement, depressing growth, stoking inflation and increasing debt. Perhaps most significantly, the price of Brent international oil standard has spiked by more than 15 per cent this week to over USD 80 a barrel, which if sustained would certainly lead to higher energy bills and inflation and keep a lid on growth. “With the world plunged into fresh uncertainty, she is likely to strike a highly cautious tone, focusing on maintaining stability and sticking to fiscal rules amid heightened tensions,” said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, an investment service. Ahead of her statement, the Treasury said Reeves will stress the importance of economic stability in an increasingly uncertain world. Reflecting on the decisions the government has taken, Reeves is expected to point to already falling inflation and interest rate cuts, which are easing the cost of living pressures on family finances. “This government has the right economic plan for our country, in a world that has become yet more uncertain," she is expected to tell lawmakers. Britain's Labour government, which has lost significant support since it won the general election in 2024 , has been hoping that 2026 would be the year that it was clear the British economy was on a sounder footing than it has been for years. Some recent economic indicators have pointed to a pickup in growth in the early part of 2026. Inflation is also set to fall sharply in the coming months, prompting the Bank of England to cut interest rates further. Last month, the bank kept its main rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent. (PTI)

Dubai, March 1: UAE authorities on Sunday said that two people were injured after debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, and they have received medical treatment.  In a statement shared on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office said: "Authorities confirmed that debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, resulting in two injuries. The injured have received the necessary medical care. Authorities also clarified that the sounds heard across the emirate were the result of successful interception operations." Earlier in the day, the UAE's Ministry of Defence announced that the Air Force and Air Defence Forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched towards the country's territories since the start of the Iranian attack. "The Ministry clarified that since the start of the attack, 137 Iranian ballistic missiles were detected and launched toward the country, with 132 of them destroyed, while 5 fell into the sea. Additionally, 209 Iranian drones were detected, 195 of which were intercepted, while 14 fell within the country's territories and waters, causing some collateral damage," it said. "The Ministry indicated that as a result of the effective interception of the missiles and drones, some debris fell in scattered areas of the country, leading to minor material damage to a number of civilian properties. The Ministry confirmed that the relevant authorities moved immediately with full readiness and capabilities to handle the situation in accordance with the approved procedures in such cases, and the necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of residents and secure the affected sites," it added. The UAE's Ministry of Defence condemned the attack and expressed the country's rejection of such acts that showcase a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of people and undermines stability. It stated that this targeting represents a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law. It urged the people to obtain information from official sources in the UAE and avoid circulating rumours or unverified information. "The Ministry emphasized that this targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that the country reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territories and people and the residents therein, in a manner that ensures the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its interests and national capabilities." The ministry stated that it is on high alert and ready to deal with any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly confront everything that targets the disruption of the UAE's security and stability, and affirmed that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors is an utmost priority that cannot be compromised. (IANS)

New Delhi, Jan 27: Emissions from the global plastics system --greenhouse gases, air-polluting particles, and toxic chemicals released particularly from plastics production processes -- could double health risks by 2040, if no meaningful action is taken to change current practices, according to a study on Tuesday.  The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, identified health harms at every stage of the life-cycle of the plastics: from the extraction of fossil fuels, the feedstocks for more than 90 per cent of plastics, and material production to their eventual disposal or release to the environment. The modelling-based study compared the global human health impacts of several different future scenarios for plastics consumption and waste management between 2016 and 2040. Under a ‘business as usual’ scenario, by 2040, the negative health impacts from plastics could double, with greenhouse gas emissions and associated rising global temperatures accounting for 40 per cent of the health harms. Air pollution -- predominantly from plastics production processes -- would account for 32 per cent, and the impact of toxic chemicals released to the environment across plastics' life cycles would account for 27 per cent. The remaining health harms (less than 1 per cent) relate to reduced availability of water, impacts on the ozone layer, and increased ionising radiation, the researchers said. "We found that emissions throughout plastics lifecycles contributed to human health burdens of global warming, air pollution, toxicity-related cancers, and non-communicable diseases, with the greatest harms from primary plastics production and open burning," Megan Deeney, from the London School. The model found that if the plastics system continues with no change to policy, economics, infrastructure, materials, or consumer behaviours, annual health impacts could more than double from 2.1 million healthy years of life lost in 2016 to 4.5 million healthy years of life lost in 2040. Overall, the study estimates that the global plastics system could be responsible for cutting 83 million years of healthy population life between 2016 and 2040. The study also predicted little impact from improving plastic waste collection and recycling alone. But, together with improvements to waste collection and recycling, substituting or reusing materials, health impacts linked to plastic emissions showed a reduction. "To effectively reduce plastic emissions and their impact on health, policymakers must better regulate and significantly reduce the production of new plastics for non-essential uses," the team said. (IANS)

Washington, Jan 21: Sharpening his rhetoric on Greenland, US President Donald Trump raised questions about NATO's reliability, signalling that security commitments to Europe could increasingly be tied to economic and strategic leverage. At a White House news conference marking one year since his return to office, Trump declined to say how far Washington might go to secure US interests related to Greenland. Asked directly, he replied: “You’ll find out.” Pressed on whether force was an option, Trump avoided specifics. He pointed instead to economic tools. He said tariffs, licensing and “other alternatives” were available and described them as “the best, the strongest, the fastest.” Trump said he had meetings planned on Greenland during his trip to Davos. “We have a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland,” he said. He added that he believed “things are going to work out pretty well.” The president paired those comments with renewed criticism of NATO. He repeated claims that he strengthened the alliance by pushing members to raise defence spending. He said allies agreed to lift spending to 5 per cent of GDP from the long-standing 2 per cent target. “Getting them to go up to five per cent of GDP was something that nobody thought was possible,” he said. At the same time, Trump questioned whether the alliance would stand with the United States in a crisis. "NATO is only as good as we are,” he said. Without the US, he added, the alliance would not be very strong. He said he had concerns about whether allies would come to Washington’s aid. Trump said he had improved NATO’s position but remained sceptical of its structure. He argued that the US bears a disproportionate share of the burden. He said his approach forced allies to pay more and buy more from the United States. He dismissed the idea of attending a proposed G-7 emergency meeting in Paris. Asked if he would go at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said: “No, I wouldn’t do that.” He questioned Macron’s political longevity and said he preferred meetings with leaders “that are directly involved.” Trump said he got along personally with Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He added that both countries faced serious problems. He pointed to immigration and energy as Europe’s main challenges. He urged leaders to rethink wind power and use domestic energy resources. The remarks fit Trump’s broader approach to foreign policy. He often links security guarantees to economic pressure. He argues that tariffs and trade leverage force allies and rivals to negotiate. Trump said the strategy made the United States richer and more secure. “We’re the richest we ever were,” he said, crediting pressure tactics for the gains. Greenland and NATO have taken on added importance as competition grows in the Arctic and Europe. Trump’s comments suggest US policy will continue to tie alliances, territory and trade more closely together. (IANS)

Toronto, Jan 21: The Consulate General of India in Canada’s Toronto hosted the “India-Canada AI Dialogue 2026”, emphasising the significance of bilateral cooperation for shared economic and societal benefits.  The event underscored India’s significant role in inclusive, responsible, and impact-driven artificial intelligence (AI). The high-level dialogue was organised in partnership with the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada India Tech Council, and Zoho Inc. According to the Indian Consulate General in Toronto, this dialogue is one of the few pre-summit events organised globally as a precursor to one of the biggest AI Summits in the Global South — the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’ in New Delhi from February 19–20, designed to gather diverse perspectives and build momentum. The AI Dialogue was attended by over 600 senior leaders, including C-suite executives, policymakers, and researchers from government, industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem across Canada, who gathered to advance bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence. Speaking on the significance of the dialogue, Dinesh K. Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada, said, “The India-Canada AI Dialogue 2026 reflects our shared vision for shaping the future of artificial intelligence responsibly," he said. "As we build momentum toward the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, this engagement highlights how trusted partners like Canada can collaborate with India to drive innovation that is inclusive, ethical, and globally relevant.” Addressing the “India-Canada AI Dialogue 2026”, Evan Solomon, Canadian Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, said, “AI is no longer an abstract or future-facing conversation — it’s shaping how we work, govern, and relate to one another." He said what makes the India-Canada AI Dialogue so important was that it puts impact, accountability, and human outcomes at the center of the discussion. "India and Canada bring different strengths, but a shared responsibility: to make sure this technology serves people, strengthens societies, and delivers real economic value," he said. Additionally, Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, shared his views on the importance of India-Canada AI Dialogue 2026, stating, “India and Canada share a deep and long-standing partnership, one built on robust trade and investment, people-to-people ties, and research partnerships in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.” He also appreciated the Indian Consulate General in Toronto for convening the important gathering and for its continued leadership in fostering collaboration between the two nations. The event also underscored Toronto’s role as a global AI hub and its growing importance as a bridge between North American and Indian AI ecosystems. Highlighting the local ecosystem, Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, Acting Consul General of India in Toronto, noted, “Toronto is one of the world’s most dynamic AI ecosystems." He said hosting this Dialogue here enabled meaningful connections between India’s rapidly expanding AI landscape and Canadian innovators, creating a strong foundation for continued engagement ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. (IANS)