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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Category: World
April 28, 2025
News
World

Major Power Outage Hits Europe, Capitals in Darkness.

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❓What Happened: A significant power outage affected Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, disrupting services like subways, phone networks, traffic signals, and ATMs.

👥 Who’s Involved: The outage involved Spanish generator Red Eléctrica, Portuguese distributor E-Redes, and impacted over 50 million people in Spain and Portugal alone.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred on Monday across the Iberian Peninsula, including major cities like Madrid and Lisbon.

💬 Key Quote: Senior Portuguese cabinet minister Leitão Amaro noted, “It looks like it was a problem with the distribution network, apparently in Spain. It’s still being ascertained.”

⚠️ Impact: The outage affected transportation systems, halted court activities, and disrupted electronic transactions in both countries. Some areas of France and the microstate of Andorra, between Spain and France, also experienced disruptions.

IN FULL:

A widespread power outage hit Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France on Monday. The disruption led to issues in public transport, phone and Internet services, and basic utilities such as traffic lights and ATMs.

Spanish electricity operator, Red Eléctrica, reported significant effects throughout the Iberian Peninsula, which has a combined population surpassing 50 million. Details on the exact number of people impacted remain unclear, but several regions in Spain, including the parliament building in Madrid and numerous subway stations, were left without power just after midday. A chart from Spain’s electricity network indicated a significant drop in electricity demand around 12:15 PM, plunging from 27,500MW to about 15,000MW.

In Portugal, similar scenarios unfolded in the capital, Lisbon, as well as in northern and southern areas. The Portuguese government, represented by Cabinet Minister Leitão Amaro, indicated that the disturbances likely originated from issues with the distribution network in Spain. However, the exact cause of the outages was unconfirmed as of the time of publication.

Local distributor E-Redes described the problem as stemming from the European electricity system, which had to strategically cut power to stabilize the grid. Disconnects were also reported in certain areas of France. Some reports indicate a fire on south-western France’s Alaric Mountain, which damaged a high-voltage power line, may also have played a role.

Transportation in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon was severely affected, with subway cars evacuated. Legal proceedings came to a halt, and electronic payment systems, including ATMs, were rendered inoperative, further complicating daily life. Communication was interrupted, preventing mobile phone calls, although some apps remained functional.

Efforts were made to restore service, with France reportedly overcoming its outages and Spain reporting partial recovery of power supply in the country’s north and south several hours after the blackout began.

The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in cross-border energy dependencies within Europe, where energy security has deteriorated as a result of an ongoing sanctions war with Russia and net-zero policies shutting down many traditional power plants.

Image by Pedro Szekely.

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April 26, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
World

Europe Taking Most Asylum Seekers Since 2017.

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❓What Happened: Europe saw the largest number of accepted asylum claims since 2017 last year.

👥 Who’s Involved: European Union (EU) member states, asylum seekers.

📍 Where & When: Eurostat announced the 2024 figures on April 25.

💬 Key Quote:  “This is the highest value since the peaks recorded after the refugee crisis related to the war in Syria in 2016 and 2017.” — Eurostat.

⚠️ Impact: The stats come as Europe supposedly tries to clamp down on illegal migration, proving that the issue remains unresolved.

IN FULL:

Europe accepted more asylum applications from migrants in 2024 than in any year since 2017, totaling over 430,000 migrants. The European statistics agency Eurostat announced the numbers this week, noting that half of the migrants came from either Syria or Afghanistan.

“This is the highest value since the peaks recorded after the refugee crisis related to the war in Syria in 2016 and 2017,” Eurostat said in a press release.

Germany saw the largest number of accepted asylum claims, making up 34.4 percent of the overall number. Over 185,000 migrants were given full refugee status, while over 169,000 were given subsidiary protection so they could not be deported. Nearly 14,000 migrants entered Europe as part of a United Nations (UN) program, with nearly half ending up in Germany.

Close to half of those who applied for asylum in 2024 were rejected, with Portugal accepting only ten asylum seekers last year, the highest rejection rate in Europe at 99.2 percent. Germany, on he other hand, rejected just 46.6 percent of applications.

Notably, even rejected asylum seekers are often not deported, even if they are officially served deportation orders.

This year, the European Commission, the EU’s unelected central executive, reported that France may overtake Germany as the most popular destination for asylum seekers. France recorded over 40,000 asylum applications in the first three months of this year, compared to just over 37,000 for Germany.

In recent years, many European Union member states have switched to focusing on controlling illegal migration and prioritizing the deportation of those who have no right to stay, as establishment political parties seek to head off electoral advances by anti-mass migration populists. Sweden is offering as much as $34,000 to migrants who wish to go back to their home countries.

Despite the change, the 2024 statistics show the number of illegal immigrants flowing across the borders of European member states remains historically high.

Image by Mstyslav Chernov.

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April 25, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

Kiev Mayor Says Ukraine Could ‘Temporarily’ Surrender Land to Russia for Peace.

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❓What Happened: Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko admitted Ukraine might have to concede land to Russia for a peace deal temporarily.

👥 Who’s Involved: Mayor Vitali Klitschko, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Russia.

📍 Where & When: Kiev, Ukraine, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair.” — Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

⚠️ Impact: The statements could reflect broader support within Ukraine for a peace deal brokered by the Trump administration.

IN FULL:

The Mayor of Kiev, former champion boxer Vitali Klitschko, has admitted that Ukraine may have to surrender land currently occupied by Russia to secure a peace deal. His comments contrast with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who stated that Ukraine would not accept any land being given to Russia, including Crimea.

“One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair,” Klitschko said. “But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary,” he added. The Kiev mayor admitted that he has no say in any potential peace process and that President Zelensky had not even spoken to him on the matter.

Klitschko is seen as a political opponent of Zelensky and has previously criticized the Ukrainian president. He has previously accused Zelensky of trying to usurp the power of elected officials and stated in 2023 that Ukraine was becoming an authoritarian state.

President Donald J. Trump has been attempting to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, but has been met with resistance from Zelensky, in particular. Earlier this week, President Trump accused Zelensky of trying to sabotage the peace process by making constant inflammatory remarks. These have included refusing to recognize even Crimea, a Russian-majority region that has been part of Russia for over a decade, as Russian territory.

Donald Trump Jr. also criticised Zelensky this week over his refusal to budge on Crimea, saying, “For those who haven’t been paying attention. Zelensky doesn’t want peace.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last week that talks may fail if there is no progress in the coming days. Despite this, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25, and President Trump is also expected to meet with the Russian leader. However, no date for the meeting has been revealed so far.

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April 25, 2025
Politics
World

Trump Reiterates Seriousness About Greenland Purchase, Canada as Potential 51st State.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state in an interview with TIME magazine, insisting these ideas are serious and not something he has floated in jest.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Eric Cortellessa (TIME magazine interviewer), and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

📍 Where & When: United States, Canada, and Greenland, with the comments being made in an interview with TIME magazine published on Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Trump stated, “Actually, no, I’m not,” when asked if he was trolling about the suggestion that Canada should become part of the United States.

⚠️ Impact: Potential geopolitical tensions concerning U.S. territorial ambitions, and implications for international security related to Arctic regions.

IN FULL:

In an interview published Friday, President Donald J. Trump emphasized his continued interest in acquiring Greenland and integrating Canada as a state in the U.S. Trump addressed these ambitions during a conversation with Eric Cortellessa of TIME magazine, emphasizing that his intentions are genuine rather than mere political jest. When Cortellessa pressed President Trump about whether his numerous comments about extending American influence over Canada and Greenland were just joking, the America First leader responded, “Actually, no, I’m not.”

“I think Greenland would be very well off… I think it’s important for us for national security and even international security,” Trump said. “I think Canada… you said that, ‘Well, that one, I might be trolling.’ But I’m really not trolling.”

“Canada is an interesting case. We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada,” Trump noted, stating that he had spoken in the past with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the cost placed on American taxpayers for the U.S. military’s defense umbrella to extend over Canada. The President argued: “We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada.”

He added: “And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has dismissed the notion of statehood for Canada, though he acknowledges that Trump often mentions it. Meanwhile, regarding Greenland, Trump’s motivation revolves around security concerns both in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. He noted the strategic significance of Greenland amid the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in nearby waters. Trump conveyed his belief in the importance of controlling these critical Arctic waterways to ensure both national and international security.

Despite Denmark’s jurisdiction over Greenland and the island’s pursuit of increased autonomy, Trump remains optimistic about the prospects of an eventual acquisition, underscoring its value for U.S. security interests.

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April 25, 2025
Economy
World

China, Feeling the Pressure, Considers Tariff Cuts on Select U.S. Goods.

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❓What Happened: The Chinese government is contemplating removing certain essential items from its retaliatory 125 percent tariffs on American products.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Chinese government’s commerce ministry officials and Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

📍 Where & When: The development was discussed in Beijing on Friday, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, stated.

⚠️ Impact: Trade tensions between China and the United States could potentially ease, leading to positive market reactions in Asia and Europe.

IN FULL:

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is re-evaluating its tariffs on American goods, with plans to possibly exempt certain critical imports. Concerns over supply chain interruptions caused by the increasing trade barriers between China and the U.S. appear to be the impetus for the CCP’s tariff walkback. Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, revealed the move during a speech at an event in Beijing on Friday, suggesting that the Chinese commerce ministry was communicating with the country’s manufacturers to determine what U.S. imports are indispensable and at risk from the tariff barriers.

“There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Hart said on Friday, adding: “We shared that with the Chinese government because they are of course trying to foster foreign direct investment.”

Earlier this month, Beijing announced it would cease accepting delivery of American-made Boeing airplanes and parts. While the move was ostensibly directed at harming the U.S.-based aerospace giant and American manufacturing, the move—backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping—will likely cause significant disruption to China’s domestic aviation industry and increase safety concerns as airlines are forced to turn to refurbished and aftermarket parts.

Among the critical sectors in China that could see tariff relief or outright exemptions are lifesaving pharmaceuticals and healthcare equipment. The Chinese healthcare system is already experiencing strain under the country’s 1.4 billion people, and a lack of access to critical medical devices and drugs could exacerbate problems.

The strategic reassessment arises in the context of heightened trade tensions, marked by the U.S.’s recent tariff increase on over half of China’s exports to the U.S., now at 145 percent. This ongoing trade spat presents substantial challenges to China’s surplus-style economy that crucially depends on export performance.

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April 25, 2025
William Upton
NatSec
World

Italy Struggling to Meet 2% NATO Spending Goal.

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❓What Happened: NATO member state Italy is beginning to doubt it will meet the alliance’s two percent of GDP defense spending target, unless the organization accepts the country’s use of a budget gimmick to reclassify some non-military spending.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Italian government, NATO, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Concerns began arising in late April, with Italy having to submit its defense budget for review later this year.

💬 Key Quote: “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more,” an Italian government official said of efforts to hit NATO’s two percent of GDP defense spending target.

⚠️ Impact: If NATO and the European Commission reject Italy’s budget gimmick, the country will be pressured to increase its defense spending in real terms. That would likely require the Italian government to shift spending away from social welfare programs and could cause political unrest.

IN FULL:

While Italy continues to publicly insist it will reach the agreed-upon defense spending target for NATO member states, privately, officials in Rome are telling a very different story. Currently, member states are committed to reaching a defense spending rate of at least two percent of each country’s GDP.

For weeks, Italian government leaders have floated the prospect of reclassifying certain civil spending programs as military spending—a ploy they insist will get them past the two percent defense spending threshold. However, doubt is now mounting that such budget gimmicks will pass muster with NATO and the European Union (EU).

Conversely, while Italy struggles to hit the current two percent target, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is pushing NATO member states to increase their defense commitments to five percent of GDP. During Trump’s first term in office, he increased pressure on NATO to meet its defense obligations and not be overly reliant on the United States backfilling budget gaps with American taxpayer dollars.

The Italian government appears to believe that adjusting the categorization of money appropriated for its financial police and coast guard, along with other military-adjacent spending, will allow it to hit the current two percent target. If the budget gimmick is rejected, however, Italy may need to increase its military spending in real terms. This would likely require the Southern European nation to divert funding from its costly and overburdened social programs.

According to POLITICO, one Italian official contends, “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more.” Additionally, the official argues that an increase in Italy’s purchase of American weapons, even if just a slight increase, may help lessen the emphasis on strictly adhering to the two percent baseline. Last year, Italy’s defense spending comprised just 1.49 percent of the country’s GDP, one of the lowest ratios in Europe.

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April 24, 2025
News
World

Government Outlaws Muslim Brotherhood.

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❓What Happened: The Muslim Brotherhood has been banned in Jordan, with officials arresting 16 people linked to security threats involving weapons and explosives.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Jordanian government and security services, the Muslim Brotherhood.

📍 Where & When: Jordan, announcement made on Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh stated that “elements of the Muslim Brotherhood” had “worked in darkness to carry out activities that undermine stability and tamper with security and national unity.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision highlights Jordan’s measures to counter Islamist national security threats and points to broader concerns over the Muslim Brotherhood’s operations.

IN FULL:

The Kingdom of Jordan has taken action to ban the Muslim Brotherhood as of April 23, citing national security concerns. This move follows the April 15 acknowledgment by Jordanian security services of arrests involving 16 individuals accused of posing national security risks linked to weapons, explosives, and plans involving drones and fighter training.

Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh explained the reasoning behind the ban, highlighting that elements of the Muslim Brotherhood “worked in darkness to carry out activities that undermine stability and tamper with security and national unity.”

The Muslim Brotherhood, established in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, has often been scrutinized. Al-Banna famously wrote that Islam is naturally inclined to assert its influence globally. In recent years, various entities have expressed concern about the group’s activities and influence. These include a 2007 declaration of support for Osama bin Laden.

During President Donald J. Trump’s first administration, there was consideration of potentially labeling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. European security services have mirrored these concerns, consistently taking a negative view of the Muslim Brotherhood’s presence. Investigations have pointed out elaborate networks linked to the group throughout Europe, operating under various front organizations.

Jordan is just the latest country to ban the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East. The organization is considered a terrorist group in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt.

Image via World Economic Forum.

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China Spying
April 24, 2025
TECH
World

South Korea Accuses DeepSeek of Unauthorized Data Transfer to Chinese Firm.

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❓What Happened: South Korea’s data protection authority found that the Chinese AI app DeepSeek transferred personal data to a cloud services platform without user consent.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), DeepSeek, Volcano Engine, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

📍 Where & When: The issue was identified in South Korea and announced on Thursday, April 24.

💬 Key Quote: “Initially, DeepSeek transferred personal data to companies located in China and the United States without obtaining users’ consent,” stated Nam Seok of the PIPC.

⚠️ Impact: DeepSeek has been suspended from download in South Korea—and a number of other localities—until its data practices are reviewed. The Chinese AI app has been the target of scrutiny over claims made regarding its technical specifications and data security. DeepSeek is only the latest Chinese-made app that has faced allegations of being a data mining tool for the CCP, with the social media app TikTok being the most prominent example.

IN FULL:

A South Korean government agency has uncovered that the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) application DeepSeek was involved in the unauthorized transfer of personal data to a cloud service associated with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) detailed on Thursday that the data, which included device specifics and user inputs, was being moved to servers hosted by Beijing’s Volcano Engine platform.

The broader implications of this revelation have prompted nations such as South Korea, Italy, and Australia, along with certain U.S. states, to either restrict or ban the app. DeepSeek, which had rapidly gained attention early this year due to its alleged ability to rival Western AI tools at a reduced cost, has assured cooperation with the PIPC and a prospective review of its data protection strategies.

The PIPC initiated a comprehensive investigation in February, compelling DeepSeek to halt new app downloads pending a stringent evaluation of its data collection methods. Speaking on behalf of the PIPC, Nam Seok highlighted the issue with DeepSeek collecting data without consent or transparent privacy disclosures. “Initially, DeepSeek transferred personal data to companies located in China and the United States without obtaining users’ consent, or disclosing this in the privacy policy at the time the service was launched,” Seok said, adding: “In particular, it was confirmed that DeepSeek transferred not only device, network, and app information, but also user inputs in AI prompts to Volcano Engine.”

Responding to Seoul’s findings, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reaffirmed its commitment to data privacy and denied any involvement in mandating illegal data practices by firms or individuals. The Foreign Ministry, represented by spokesman Guo Jiakun, emphasized China’s supposed adherence to legal data collection standards.

The entity behind Volcano Engine, ByteDance, counts among its holdings the popular social media platform TikTok. Notably, TikTok and ByteDance have been accused of dubious data security practices in the United States, and the social media app faces a potential national ban if its Chinese parent company does not divest itself.

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April 23, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

Trump Says Zelensky is Sabotaging Ukraine-Russia Peace Process.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for sabotaging ongoing peace talks with Russia.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

📍 Where & When: President Trump reacted to remarks made by Zelensky on April 23.

💬 Key Quote: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about!” Trump stated.

⚠️ Impact: Zelensky’s remarks make it even more uncertain that a deal will be reached to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as he refuses to recognize Russian control over Crimea.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for sabotaging the ongoing peace talks to halt the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. On Truth Social, President Trump slammed Zelensky, who stated that he would not recognize Russian control of Crimea.

“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” President Trump wrote.

The President further blames Zelensky for prolonging the killing in Ukraine, saying that the U.S. is close to securing a ceasefire deal that could freeze the conflict on the current lines of contact. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly offered a ceasefire along the current lines of the conflict while a potential deal is being negotiated. Part of Trump’s deal would see the U.S. recognize Russia’s control over Crimea and reject future NATO membership for Ukraine.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, long before Zelensky’s election and the current phase of the full-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The region is majority Russian, having only been transferred to Ukraine for administrative purposes by the former Soviet Union in 1954.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff, whom Zelensky insulted just last week, is expected to meet with President Putin in Russia later this week on April 25.

Zelensky, the British, and the French have resisted Trump’s calls for peace in the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron has consistently floated the idea of sending French troops to Ukraine.

Denmark has already announced it will send troops, ostensibly as observers, which provoked a harsh response from the Russians, who said the NATO troops will be considered legitimate targets.

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April 22, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
World

Terror Attack in India Leaves at Least 20 Dead Amid Vance Visit.

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❓What Happened: Suspected militants fired on a group of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

👥 Who’s Involved: At least 20 tourists killed, several more injured. Security officials believe multiple gunmen were involved.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred on Tuesday in Pahalgam, a popular tourist location in South Kashmir.

💬 Key Quote: “Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India.” — Vice President J.D. Vance.

⚠️ Impact: Tourist activity, which had been recovering, is likely to be affected. Security operations are underway to apprehend the militants involved.

IN FULL:

On Tuesday, a lethal attack was carried out by suspected militants targeting tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Between 20 and 24 people were killed, with several others sustaining injuries, according to various reports, although an official death toll had not been released as of the time of publication. Pahalgam, known for its scenic meadows and glaciers, attracts substantial tourist numbers yearly.

Two senior police officials, who wished to remain unnamed, confirmed to the Associated Press that at least 20 deceased have been located and that around three dozen individuals were injured, many critically. The assailants reportedly targeted a gathering of tourists at close proximity, sparking chaos. A joint military, paramilitary, and police search effort is underway to locate those responsible.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, whose in-laws are Indian, is currently in India, laying the groundwork for a trade deal between the United States and the Hindu-majority nation.

“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India,” he said of the attack in a statement on social media. “Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.”

“The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism,” said President Donald J. Trump in his own statement. “We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!”

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, with Indian Kashmir regularly subjected to terror attacks by Islamist separatists. Nine Hindu pilgrims were killed and over 30 injured when a bus crashed into a gorge in a suspected militant attack in 2024, and at least 44 people were killed when a suicide bomber from a Pakistan-based Islamist group crashed into a bus carrying Indian paramilitary police in 2019, among many other incidents.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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