"REFLECTING" · 총 145건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 86,107건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.2(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,274건(5.0%)·중립 79,706건(92.6%)·부정 2,127건(2.5%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 14.9(중도 균형)입니다.
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Country: World Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Message from the IFRC Secretary General Small and medium-sized disasters may not dominate global headlines, but for communities affected they are just as devastating. The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) ensures that these crises are met with speed, dignity and locally-led action. Money is made available fast, without the need to wait for a specific appeal. The DREF 2026 Plan is firmly anchored in the IFRC’s Renewal. In the context of significant global funding constraints, humanitarians must be more focused, disciplined and accountable than ever. The IFRC-DREF is central to this shift - enabling early, flexible financing while reinforcing strong stewardship and clear evidence of results. It is also innovative both in the way it is financed (our world-first indemnity insurance policy was triggered for the first time in 2024) and in how its funds are allocated; funding anticipatory action, before hazards hit, is a growing priority. Our 2026–2030 DREF Ambition involves strengthening not only what we fund, but how we deliver. In 2026, we will continue to streamline processes, improve sequencing between DREF grants and Emergency Appeals and reinforce compliance and operational quality. This ensures that speed is matched by sound decision-making, transparency and impact. Localization remains at the heart of IFRC-DREF. By channeling resources directly to National Societies, we enable action that is timely, context-driven and sustainable. At a time when humanitarian needs are rising and financing is under pressure, this agile and principled mechanism is more essential than ever. The DREF 2026 Plan reflects our commitment to work smarter, better demonstrate impact and ensure that no community facing disaster is ignored. I urge you to read it. Jagan Chapagain Context and rationale for the 2026 plan What is the IFRC-DREF? The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) is an efficient, fast, transparent, and localized way of getting funding directly to local humanitarian actors – both before and after a crisis. It enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond rapidly to emergencies and act ahead of predictable hazards through two complementary pillars: • Response • Anticipatory Action The fund combines speed, flexibility, transparency and localization to support community-led humanitarian action. Context and rationale for the 2026 plan The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, marking the conclusion of its Strategic Ambition 2020–2025 and the release of the IFRC-DREF Strategic Ambition 2026–2030, with 2026 serving as the first year of its operationalization. This transition builds on a period of significant reform, as the revision of procedures introduced in 2025 strengthened accountability, clarified operational and financial rules, and reinforced minimum readiness requirements, including for anticipatory action, while safeguarding IFRC-DREF’s core strengths of speed, flexibility, and reliability. These developments take place within the broader context of the IFRC Renewal, which seeks to strengthen a collective approach by reinforcing localization, quality, accountability, and proximity to communities across the IFRC network (the IFRC secretariat and its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). At the same time, National Societies continue to operate in increasingly complex environments shaped by: · climate-related disasters, · epidemics, · displacement, · economic pressures, · and shrinking humanitarian funding. These realities reinforce the importance of a fast, agile and locally led humanitarian financing mechanism. Global operational realities In 2025, IFRC-DREF allocated CHF 77.4 million across 170 operations in 83 National Societies, supporting 14.5 million people affected by crises worldwide. While most allocations remained under the Response Pillar (CHF 64.9 million), anticipatory action reached a record CHF 12.7 million, representing 16% of total funding. This growth was supported by the approval of 11 new simplified EAPs and 21 new EAPs. Despite a decline from 2024, allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021, while operations increased by 27% over the same period. At the same time, the number of countries supported remained relatively stable, reflecting growing concentration of IFRC-DREF usage in highly crisis-affected contexts. Anticipatory action expanded significantly faster than the overall fund between 2021 and 2025, increasing by approximately 150%. This trend is expected to continue in 2026 through simplified procedures and expanded early action mechanisms. Despite growing pressure on humanitarian financing systems, IFRC-DREF allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021.
Teurer als gedacht, hässlicher als befürchtet – und dreckig dazu: Donald Trump macht aus dem Reflecting Pool am Lincoln Memorial ein Planschbecken wie aus dem Baumarkt.
Teurer als gedacht, hässlicher als befürchtet – und dreckig dazu: Donald Trump macht aus dem Reflecting Pool am Lincoln Memorial ein Planschbecken wie aus dem Baumarkt.
ISLAMABAD: Having missed the growth target by half a percentage point, recording growth of 3.7pc this year, the government has set an economic growth target of 4pc and inflation at 8.2pc for the next fiscal year. The macroeconomic framework for FY2026-27 was cleared here on Monday at a meeting of the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) for formal approval by the National Economic Council (NEC) on June 3. The NEC — considered as the country’s highest national economic policy making body — is led by the prime minister and represented by all four provincial chief ministers besides as many federal ministers. The daylong APCC meeting is being presided over by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and is being attended by provincial development ministers, along with senior federal and provincial bureaucrats. “For FY2026–27, Pakistan’s economy is targeted to grow by 4pc, signalling a continued growth trajectory,” the APCC working paper noted, while stating that GDP growth stood at 3.7pc in FY2025–26 against a target of 4.2pc. Growth rate for FY2024-25 had finally settled at 3.2pc. The commodity-producing sectors are targeted to expand by 3.9pc next year, driven by 3.8pc growth in agriculture and 4.5pc growth in large-scale manufacturing (LSM). Agricultural growth will be supported by a recovery in important crops (3.6pc) and cotton ginning (2.5pc), as well as robust performance in livestock (3.9pc). The industrial sector is targeted to grow by 4pc in FY2026-27 mainly due to a revival in LSM, alongside growth momentum in mining and quarrying, construction and energy (gas and water supply). The services sector is targeted to grow at 4.2pc, underpinned by stronger performance in wholesale and retail trade (4.2pc); transport, storage and communications (3.7pc); and financial services (4.5pc) as well as information and communication (7.7pc). “These targets are contingent on effective macroeconomic management and stable external conditions,” the planning commission warned as the macroeconomic framework moves to the NEC. Under the macroeconomic outlook for FY2026-27, national savings are targeted to grow by 14.3pc of GDP compared to 14.1pc in the current fiscal year (CFY), while investment is targeted to reach 15pc of GDP, against 14.4pc in CFY. The planning commission added that this reflects a narrowing savings-investment gap to be financed through modest external inflows. Public investment is targeted to remain at 3pc of GDP next fiscal year instead of 3pc in CFY, while private investment is targeted to rise to 10.3pc of GDP from 9.6pc in CFY. Inflation rate has been targeted at 8.2pc due to anticipated supportive fiscal consolidation and improved macroeconomic stability. Highlighting a risk, the planning commission said the external sector may face pressures as easing import controls and debt repayments are likely to widen the current account deficit next year. However, strong remittance inflows, export recovery and anticipated external financing are expected to help cushion these pressures and support external sustainability, it said. The APCC also targeted an increase in employment of two million in FY2026–27 through higher investment and improved economic growth. This is based on the premise that public investment crowds in private investment, thereby expanding employment opportunities across all sectors. The Planning Commission said ongoing federal and provincial employment generation programmes are further strengthening labour market participation, entrepreneurship, technical skills and job-matching mechanisms. These efforts are expected to create 1.1 million jobs in the services sector, 0.5 million in the industrial sector and 0.4 million in the agriculture sector in FY2026–27. “Thus, the increasing trend of employment creation is expected to support broad-based, inclusive, and employment-intensive economic growth,” it said. Referring to the current fiscal year, the Annual Plan document said Pakistan’s economy had demonstrated “notable stabilisation” in the first eight months, despite flash floods and the impact of the US-Iran war. During the first eight months of the fiscal year, average inflation remained contained. Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) showed a sustained recovery after two consecutive years of contraction, reflecting a broader stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment. Improved external sector conditions, supported by strong remittance inflows and rising services exports, strengthened the balance of payments, leading to higher foreign exchange reserves and greater exchange rate stability. Reinforced by these gains, investor confidence improved markedly, driving the stock market to record highs, the Planning Commission noted. However, external price shocks resurfaced inflationary pressures following the outbreak of the conflict in late February 2026, resulting in a sharp surge in global oil prices from approximately $72 per barrel (pre-conflict) to a peak of nearly $120 per barrel. Thus, average inflation during July–April FY2025-26 rose to 6.2pc, compared to 4.7pc in the same period of the previous fiscal year. More notably, monthly inflation rose to 10.9pc in April 2026 compared to 0.3pc in April 2025. Pakistan’s GDP growth in FY2025–26 rose to 3.7pc from 3.2pc in the previous fiscal year, reflecting broad-based improvements across agriculture, industry and services, although several targets were missed. Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) showed a notable turnaround, posting growth of 6.1pc in FY2025–26 compared to a contraction of 0.7pc in FY2024–25. On the external side, weakening exports and a recovery in import demand led to a widening of the trade deficit. However, robust remittance inflows and growing services exports helped contain pressures on the external account, supporting the balance of payments. The resulting improvement in foreign exchange reserves contributed to exchange rate stability, while continued fiscal discipline and prudent macroeconomic management reinforced overall economic stability.
ISLAMABAD: Having missed the growth target by half a percentage point, recording growth of 3.7pc this year, the government has set an economic growth target of 4pc and inflation at 8.2pc for the next fiscal year. The macroeconomic framework for FY2026-27 was cleared here on Monday at a meeting of the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) for formal approval by the National Economic Council (NEC) on June 3. The NEC — considered as the country’s highest national economic policy making body — is led by the prime minister and represented by all four provincial chief ministers besides as many federal ministers. The daylong APCC meeting is being presided over by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and is being attended by provincial development ministers, along with senior federal and provincial bureaucrats. “For FY2026–27, Pakistan’s economy is targeted to grow by 4pc, signalling a continued growth trajectory,” the APCC working paper noted, while stating that GDP growth stood at 3.7pc in FY2025–26 against a target of 4.2pc. Growth rate for FY2024-25 had finally settled at 3.2pc. The commodity-producing sectors are targeted to expand by 3.9pc next year, driven by 3.8pc growth in agriculture and 4.5pc growth in large-scale manufacturing (LSM). Agricultural growth will be supported by a recovery in important crops (3.6pc) and cotton ginning (2.5pc), as well as robust performance in livestock (3.9pc). The industrial sector is targeted to grow by 4pc in FY2026-27 mainly due to a revival in LSM, alongside growth momentum in mining and quarrying, construction and energy (gas and water supply). The services sector is targeted to grow at 4.2pc, underpinned by stronger performance in wholesale and retail trade (4.2pc); transport, storage and communications (3.7pc); and financial services (4.5pc) as well as information and communication (7.7pc). “These targets are contingent on effective macroeconomic management and stable external conditions,” the planning commission warned as the macroeconomic framework moves to the NEC. Under the macroeconomic outlook for FY2026-27, national savings are targeted to grow by 14.3pc of GDP compared to 14.1pc in the current fiscal year (CFY), while investment is targeted to reach 15pc of GDP, against 14.4pc in CFY. The planning commission added that this reflects a narrowing savings-investment gap to be financed through modest external inflows. Public investment is targeted to remain at 3pc of GDP next fiscal year instead of 3pc in CFY, while private investment is targeted to rise to 10.3pc of GDP from 9.6pc in CFY. Inflation rate has been targeted at 8.2pc due to anticipated supportive fiscal consolidation and improved macroeconomic stability. Highlighting a risk, the planning commission said the external sector may face pressures as easing import controls and debt repayments are likely to widen the current account deficit next year. However, strong remittance inflows, export recovery and anticipated external financing are expected to help cushion these pressures and support external sustainability, it said. The APCC also targeted an increase in employment of two million in FY2026–27 through higher investment and improved economic growth. This is based on the premise that public investment crowds in private investment, thereby expanding employment opportunities across all sectors. The Planning Commission said ongoing federal and provincial employment generation programmes are further strengthening labour market participation, entrepreneurship, technical skills and job-matching mechanisms. These efforts are expected to create 1.1 million jobs in the services sector, 0.5 million in the industrial sector and 0.4 million in the agriculture sector in FY2026–27. “Thus, the increasing trend of employment creation is expected to support broad-based, inclusive, and employment-intensive economic growth,” it said. Referring to the current fiscal year, the Annual Plan document said Pakistan’s economy had demonstrated “notable stabilisation” in the first eight months, despite flash floods and the impact of the US-Iran war. During the first eight months of the fiscal year, average inflation remained contained. Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) showed a sustained recovery after two consecutive years of contraction, reflecting a broader stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment. Improved external sector conditions, supported by strong remittance inflows and rising services exports, strengthened the balance of payments, leading to higher foreign exchange reserves and greater exchange rate stability. Reinforced by these gains, investor confidence improved markedly, driving the stock market to record highs, the Planning Commission noted. However, external price shocks resurfaced inflationary pressures following the outbreak of the conflict in late February 2026, resulting in a sharp surge in global oil prices from approximately $72 per barrel (pre-conflict) to a peak of nearly $120 per barrel. Thus, average inflation during July–April FY2025-26 rose to 6.2pc, compared to 4.7pc in the same period of the previous fiscal year. More notably, monthly inflation rose to 10.9pc in April 2026 compared to 0.3pc in April 2025. Pakistan’s GDP growth in FY2025–26 rose to 3.7pc from 3.2pc in the previous fiscal year, reflecting broad-based improvements across agriculture, industry and services, although several targets were missed. Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) showed a notable turnaround, posting growth of 6.1pc in FY2025–26 compared to a contraction of 0.7pc in FY2024–25. On the external side, weakening exports and a recovery in import demand led to a widening of the trade deficit. However, robust remittance inflows and growing services exports helped contain pressures on the external account, supporting the balance of payments. The resulting improvement in foreign exchange reserves contributed to exchange rate stability, while continued fiscal discipline and prudent macroeconomic management reinforced overall economic stability.
Nairobi's Sarah Ontita's emotional reaction on air after Arsenal's penalty loss to PSG sparked laughter and banter among fans, reflecting the pain of defeat.
Market volatility took center stage following a sharp late-Friday sell-off triggered by MSCI rebalancing and global cues. While cautious sentiment prevails, Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, highlights critical Nifty support levels that could prevent further damage. In this exclusive interview, he breaks down the June series rollover data, IT sector resilience, and top stock picks.Edited excerpts from a chat:The sell-off seen in the last 30 minutes on Friday has scared traders as to what could be in the offing on Monday morning. What do you think?IMD’s below-normal monsoon forecast and uncertainty over US-Iran talks in the backdrop gave an ominous feel to the drop that unfolded towards Friday’s close. However, the steepness of the fall is apparently due to MSCI rebalancing, with futures and options segment appearing reluctant to match such move. Nevertheless the large red candle registered on Nifty’s chart needs to be acknowledged, and we will start the new week on a cautious note. That 23500 was defended, gives us reason to be optimistic, but slippage past the same, or inability to reclaim the 10 day SMA near 23750 will confirm bearishness calling for 22800.Nifty has been seeing profit booking at higher levels in last few weeks. What does the rollover data indicate for the June series?The rollover data for June series suggests a cautious to mildly negative undertone despite selective strength. Nifty’s rollover dropped to 69.98% in May, below the 3-month average of 73.05%, indicating reduced willingness to carry forward positions, likely reflecting profit booking at higher levels. Similarly, Bank Nifty rollover moderation points to some cooling in conviction within the heavyweight banking segment.Market breadth has weakened as well, with only 52% of stocks closing positive vs 91% in April, highlighting broader profit-taking pressure. While strong rollovers in select sectors like Oil & Gas, Metals, Power and Infra signal pockets of resilience, weakness in Pharma, Healthcare, and Transportation suggests lack of uniform participation.Although long buildup was visible in Telecom, Capital Goods, and Pharma, the early trend in June appears cautious. Importantly, banks-despite prior long build-up-have started the June series on a weak footing, with heavyweights like SBI and HDFC Bank under pressure, which could weigh on Nifty due to their high index weight.Nifty IT is showing signs of resilience even during sell-off. What are the charts indicating at?The Nifty IT index is showing early signs of a trend reversal after a prolonged corrective phase. On the daily chart, the formation of an inverted head and shoulders pattern suggests a base-building process, with prices currently hovering near the neckline zone around the 29,500-29,600 region. A sustained move above this level could confirm a breakout and trigger momentum towards higher resistances.On the higher timeframe, the weekly MACD is on the verge of a bullish crossover, indicating a potential shift from bearish to positive momentum. This aligns with improving price structure and supports the medium-term recovery thesis.From a longer-term perspective, the monthly candlestick is forming a pin bar Doji, typically seen near inflection points, highlighting rejection of lower levels around the 27,000-28,000 zone and signaling demand absorption.However, confirmation is key. Immediate support lies near 28,000, while a decisive breakout above the neckline could open upside towards 31,000-32,000. Failure to sustain above key resistance may keep the index range bound.HFCL was among the top gainers of the week. Do you see signs of the momentum continuing in the week ahead?Long wicked candle on Friday, with a close above upper bollinger band point to a mix of strong trending nature and emerging cautiousness. Oscillators appear reluctant, but are yet to confirm an impending collapse. With these in the backdrop, longs may be held on to, but ideally with a stop loss placed near 168.Natco Pharma fell 14% on Friday after weak Q4 results. Do you see signs of bottom-fishing emerging in the coming week?Yes. The single day red candle which has resulted in a break of structure, is likely to be followed by bottom fishing and a pull back rally that could extend 3-4%. However, we do not see enough signs to indicate that such pull back attempt could sustain.Give us your top ideas of the week. INDIANB (LTP: 833)View: BuyTarget: 930SL: 790 Indian Bank continues to maintain a structurally strong uptrend on the weekly chart, characterised by a series of higher highs and higher lows since early 2024. The recent profit booking since April seems to have found a support near 800 healthy consolidation after a sharp rally, with the stock holding firmly above the 780-750 support zone, which now acts as a strong demand base.Despite the recent pullback from near 1000 levels, the correction appears time-wise rather than price-destructive, suggesting profit booking rather than trend reversal. The presence of a rising support trendline reinforces the bullish structure.Momentum indicators are cooling off from overbought levels, which is constructive in a trending market. The RSI is stabilising near the mid-zone, providing room for a fresh upside leg, while MACD is approaching levels where a potential bullish crossover on lower drawdown could emerge.SHYAMMETL (LTP: 973)View: BuyTarget: 1080SL: 930 Shyam Metalics is exhibiting a strong bullish breakout from a descending trendline on the weekly chart, indicating a potential resumption of the broader uptrend after a period of consolidation. Price has decisively moved above the 950-960 resistance zone, which also coincided with prior swing highs, adding conviction to the breakout.The structure reflects higher lows formation, suggesting steady accumulation. Momentum indicators are turning supportive with RSI trending upward above the mid-zone, while MACD has delivered a bullish crossover with rising histogram, reinforcing improving momentum. Weekly Supertrend breakout adds to positivity. Volume expansion near the breakout area further validates buyer participation and strengthens the breakout reliability. Additionally, price holding above short-term supports near 930 indicates a favorable risk-reward setup.As long as the stock sustains above the breakout zone, it is well-positioned to extend its upward move towards the 1080 target.
WHAT if, one fine morning, a call is extended — “Cockroaches of the world unite!” And suddenly millions of pointless, lazy little creatures swarm out from their ugly dens — from behind boxes, from under beds, from the dark corners of old cupboards? Lazy, yet resilient, cockroaches refused to evolve for the last 150 million years. All they have done is survive and breed. You chase them away with a broom, smash them with sandals, spray them with “Hit,” and still they return. When filth piles up, cockroaches are bound to appear. “What if all cockroaches come together?” — this was the exact question asked by 30-year-old Abhijit Dipke after Justice Surya Kant, the Honourable Chief Justice of India, compared India’s unemployed youth to “cockroaches” during a hearing on May 15. Within 24 hours, Dipke launched a website and social media handles on X and Instagram under the name Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The name itself mocks the ruling party at the Centre. Then there is the logo: a cockroach sitting on a smartphone with full internet connectivity — reflecting the Chief Justice’s further accusation that professionally worthless youngsters turn into media or social media activists and attack everyone. But does a cockroach really attack anyone? Its clumsy wing-flutters may create a nuisance, and its flat existence may carry messages for future propagation. It troubles, certainly, but rarely harms. Outcome of a systematic betrayal The Cockroach Janata Party expects its members to meet certain standards. Gender, caste, or religion do not matter. Interested individuals are encouraged to conduct an eligibility self-check to ensure that they are effectively unemployed, physically lazy, chronically online, and capable of ranting professionally. These criteria perfectly echo how Indian society increasingly views Gen-Z. Justice Surya Kant’s remark, his later clarification notwithstanding, was not merely a personal slip of tongue. It reflected the broader mindset of India’s comfortable middle class, which does not endure the chronic financial and professional stress that the country’s youth face. Gen Z, or those born between 1997 and 2012, now constitutes more than a quarter of India’s population. Yet nearly 40pc of young graduates remain unemployed, according to the State of Working India 2026 report by Azim Premji University —only around 7pc secure permanent salaried employment within a year of graduation. The CJP’s manifesto contains five demands: no Chief Justice should receive a Rajya Sabha seat after retirement; the Chief Election Commissioner should face UAPA charges if legitimate votes are deleted; 50pc of cabinet positions should be reserved for women; media houses owned by Adani and Ambani should lose their licenses; and any MLA or MP defecting from one party to another should be barred from contesting elections or holding public office for twenty years. Rallies, slogans, and street-corner speeches no longer engage educated youth the way they once did. Instead, youngsters express their political consciousness through satire, memes, parody, and comedy reels. The party also demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister following the recent cancellation of the 2026 NEET examination due to a question paper leak. The demands primarily target corruption and institutional decay, which easily makes one recall the 2011 anti-corruption movement — popularly known as the Anna Andolan — which sought to address political corruption through the Jan Lokpal Bill. That non-partisan civil movement eventually gave birth to Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party while simultaneously strengthening the BJP’s anti-Congress narrative before the 2014 general election. Could the CJP similarly evolve into a larger anti-establishment movement? The speculation becomes stronger considering that Dipke himself was associated with the AAP between 2020 and 2023. For now, however, the CJP primarily serves as a platform to raise issues and demand accountability. “The rest is satire,” they say.—The Daily Star (Bangladesh)/ANN Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026
TWENTY-eight years after the nuclear tests at Chagai, the strategic environment in South Asia has shifted dramatically. The assumptions that shaped Pakistan’s deterrence posture in 1998, and the paradigm shift from ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ to ‘Full-Spectrum Deterrence’, were rooted in visions of a conventional invasion, mass mobilisation and large-scale armoured thrusts across the border. In contrast, the modern battlefield looks very different today. The war in Ukraine, the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, the Iran-US/Israel war and — most importantly for Pakistan — the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, have demonstrated how precision missiles, armed drones, electronic warfare, satellite enabled surveillance and integrated air defence systems are reshaping escalation dynamics. Speaking over the weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Lt Gen Nauman Zakaria — commander of the 1 Corps who was introduced at the conference as the commander of the newly-raised Army Rocket Force Command — warned that emerging technologies were creating “new vulnerabilities… risk of miscalculation… [and a] compression of decision making timelines” that have altered “the nature of interstate conflict and strategic deterrence”. Raising of new rocket force signals a significant strategic shift, as precision weapons compress decision timelines and blur the line between conventional and nuclear signalling in South Asia This echoes what many view as the most important lesson from the May 2025 conflict: it was not that nuclear weapons failed; rather that they worked, but only in a limited sense. They prevented full-scale war, but did not stop sustained military confrontation involving missiles, drones, air operations, electronic disruption and naval signalling under the nuclear shadow. Reflecting on the May 2025 conflict, Lt Gen Zakaria said Pakistan’s response had “effectively debunked the notion of space for war in South Asia”. Historically, Pakistan’s deterrence posture has adapted to shifts in Indian military doctrine. ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ gave way to ‘Full-Spectrum Deterrence’ after India developed the ‘Cold Start’ concept, prompting Islamabad to lower the nuclear threshold through systems such as Nasr. But while Pakistan adjusted to the threat of limited ground incursions, India moved towards precision strikes, drones and standoff capabilities, as seen in Balakot in 2019, and the May 2025 conflict. Subsequent events showed that even the “quid-pro-quo plus” approach adopted after 2016, which sought to impose higher costs on Indian military action, has not fully denied New Delhi room for limited operations below the level of full scale war. To put it simply, India continues to look for ways to apply military pressure without triggering the nuclear escalation ladder. Here, Pakistan now faces an important doctrinal question. While nuclear weapons remain the ultimate guarantor against existential threats, they are no longer the only instruments available for imposing costs or shaping an adversary’s behaviour during a crisis. Pakistani strategists appear to recognise this shift. Prof Dr Adil Sultan, who is dean at the Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies at Air University, argued that the impact of emerging technologies and the lessons of the May 2025 conflict highlight the need to “reconceptualise” existing notions of strategic stability. The creation of the Army Rocket Force Command is perhaps the clearest indication that Rawalpindi is building a stronger conventional deterrent layer. Lt Gen Zakaria has been emphatic that the force is “a strictly conventional force” with a command structure entirely separate from Pakistan’s nuclear forces. Moreover, the modernisation of systems like the Fatah missile series — whose fourth iteration was test-fired a fortnight ago — and efforts to improve precision strike capabilities clearly show that conventional missile forces are now being viewed not merely as battlefield assets, but rather strategic instruments in and of themselves. Dr Rabia Akhtar, a visiting fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School-based Project on Managing the Atom, sees the creation of the National Strategic Command and Rocket Force Command as recognition that “conventional deterrence is becoming increasingly important” and could provide decision makers “a wider range of conventional response options” before reaching the nuclear threshold. The reasoning is straightforward. If precision conventional systems can deliver calibrated but meaningful military effects, they reduce the requirement for early nuclear signalling and raise the practical threshold for nuclear use. It also means doctrines framed around tactical nuclear use for battlefield denial may no longer correspond fully to the realities of the evolving battlespace. Pakistan, therefore, may need to reconsider whether the existing formulation of ‘Full-Spectrum Deterrence’, or for that matter, the “quid-pro-quo plus” approach still reflects the strategic environment of 2026 or whether parts of it belong more to the threat perceptions of the mid-2000s. Ambassador Zamir Akram, an adviser to the Strategic Plans Division, noted: “Space for conventional warfare has increased and raised the nuclear threshold”. Yet, he also cautioned that new technologies have created greater “entanglement of conventional and strategic weapons”, making escalation faster and harder to control. The argument that conventional deterrence needs to be given greater importance does not suggest abandoning nuclear deterrence or pursuing unrealistic conventional parity with India. Indeed, Pakistan’s nuclear capability remains indispensable as the ultimate safeguard against existential coercion, but there is a growing case for recalibrating the relationship between nuclear and conventional deterrence. One reason is the growing danger of ambiguity in a battlefield increasingly shaped by speed, automation and dual capable systems. Modern warfare compresses timelines, blurs signalling and increases the risk of misreading intentions. Pakistan’s traditional policy of strategic ambiguity served an important purpose when the objective was to create uncertainty in the adversary’s calculations. Syed Ali Zia Jaffery, deputy director at the University of Lahore’s Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research, argued that while “calculated strategic ambiguity is still a critical part of deterrence”, there is also a need for “more emphasis” on strengthening conventional deterrence. “It would act as a clear signal that Pakistan will counter India’s efforts to create a new normal in South Asia. While nuclear deterrence has delivered what it is expected and designed to do, the past two crises underscore the significance of the other planks of deterrence,” Jaffery maintained. The May 2025 conflict demonstrated that limited war under the nuclear shadow is now a practical reality rather than a theoretical possibility. One implication is that Pakistan may require a more carefully layered deterrence architecture in which strong conventional capabilities form the first line of deterrence, while nuclear forces remain the ultimate backstop against existential threats. Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026
Country: Honduras Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes remain widespread across Honduras, with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes emerging in the Dry Corridor between June and September as above-average prices, below-average labor demand, and previous harvest losses exacerbate seasonal trends. While many households continue to meet minimum food needs through market purchases, they are struggling to cover essential non-food expenditures amid below-average seasonal agricultural labor opportunities and are increasingly relying on coping strategies such as selling small livestock and borrowing. In the Dry Corridor, households negatively impacted by multiple poor agricultural seasons are likely to resort to more severe coping strategies at the height of the lean season. The rest of the country will experience Stressed (IPC Phase 2), while urban centers including Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazán), La Esperanza (Intibucá), and the Bay Islands remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) due to more stable formal and informal income sources. Above-average fuel and fertilizer prices continue to drive high production and transportation costs for a second consecutive month. In April,diesel prices remained nearly 34 percent higher than March, 64 percent higher than last year, and 49 percent higher than the five-year average. Fertilizer prices have also remained elevated, with DAP (18-46-0) and urea rising to 7.2 and 50 percent higher than March, respectively, and 21.2 and 45.1 percent above the five-year average, respectively. These rising input costs contributed to inflation surpassing the 5 percent threshold in April. Staple food costs persist above last year and the five-year average despite relatively stable month-on-month prices, driven by weak domestic production. In April, wholesale white maize prices were 49.2 and 39.8 percent higher than last year and the five-year average, respectively, reflecting increased demand and lingering effects of below-average import volumes in 2025. Wholesale red bean prices are 10 percent above the five-year average but remained stable month-on-month and year-on-year, partly supported by increased bean availability due to crop substitution of maize for beans during primera 2025and improved import volumes. While increased remittance inflows in early 2026 are helping receiving households partially offset higher food costs, most poor households do not receive remittances and remain vulnerable to price increases. Recent rainfall estimates through mid-May indicate widespread below-average precipitation across Honduras, negatively impacting primera land preparation and planting in localized areas. While some localized rainfall has met thresholds for planting requirements, much of this precipitation has been concentrated within short periods (2-3 days), limiting soil moisture adequacy and leading many farmers to postpone planting until more consistent rainfall is established. As a result, smallholders are not expected to initiate primera planting until mid-May. At the same time, elevated input costs are constraining fertilizer use by smallholder farmers, likely contributing to expected below-average primera crop yields by August. The Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), in coordination with agroclimatology boards and with support from the Centro de Estudios Atmosféricos, Oceanográficos y Sísmicos (CENAOS)/Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), is monitoring and guiding planting decisions across the country. The forecast transition to El Niño is expected to result in rainfall deficits and above-average temperatures through September, particularly in the Dry Corridor, reducing vegetation health and soil moisture and disrupting crop development throughout the primera season. While the magnitude of the El Niño event remains uncertain, CENAOS has issued region-specific guidance for farmers, recommending early planting (before May 10) in the Dry Corridor areas bordering El Salvador, and slightly later planting (after May 15) in central and eastern departments. Drought-prone areas, including southern Francisco Morazán, El Paraíso, Valle, Choluteca, and southern Comayagua, are likely to experience larger rainfall deficits. SAG is advising some farmers to prioritize planting red beans instead of white maize due to its short production cycle and lower water requirements, improving crop resilience under uncertain rainfall conditions.
Nifty remains in a broad consolidation phase, with support clustered around 23,200–23,300 and resistance near 23,750–24,050, leaving traders watchful for a decisive breakout. While the broader structure stays constructive and buy-on-dips strategies are favoured, sentiment is tempered by repeated hurdles and late-week volatility, keeping the index range-bound with a cautiously positive undertone.DHARMESH SHAH HEAD OF TECHNICAL RESEARCH AT ICICI SECURITIESWhere is Nifty headed this week? The index is undergoing a healthy consolidation in the 23,800-23,200 zone that has set the stage to gradually head toward the 24,500 level in the coming weeks. Strong support is placed at 23,200. Some of the key observations are: Banking, auto, capital goods sectors have set a higher base while the IT sector is showing signs of revival near its decade-long support line. Brent crude oil has broken down below its one-month rising trendline support. Stocks above 50-day and 200-day SMAs within Nifty 500 rose to 68% and 45%. Nifty Midcap index broke out of a three-week consolidation to hit new record highs. Small-cap index bounced off its 52-week EMA base and sits 8% below all-time highs. Trading strategy: Decline towards 23,300-23,400 (Nifty Spot levels) should be used as a buying opportunity for a target of 23,900.TOP BETS FOR THE WEEK Tata Power: Buy at Rs 410-424, stop loss at Rs 392, target Rs 470The stock is rebounding after retesting the April 2026 breakout area of Rs 415. As per the change of polarity principle, the previous resistance is now acting as a strong support, offering a fresh entry opportunity with a favourable risk-reward setup. Sona BLW Precision Forgings: Buy at Rs 600–610, stop loss at Rs 588, target Rs 660. The stock has witnessed a cupand-handle breakout retest pattern, indicating inherent strength. It is now forming a higher-base formation while sustaining above its cluster of moving averages, signalling a revival of structure in the larger-degree time frame 131431542TANMAY SHAH RESEARCH HEAD, SIHLWhere is Nifty headed this week? Nifty remains in a broad consolidation range of 23,200–24,050 with a positive undertone, as long as it sustains above the crucial 23,200 support on a closing basis. Traders can adopt a buy-on-dips strategy with stops at 23,250 and targets near 24,200, though a decisive close below 23,200 would weaken the bullish structure and trigger profit-booking. Trading strategy: Traders with a moderately bullish outlook may consider a Bull Call Spread for the 9th June expiry by buying the 23,700 Call and simultaneously selling the 24,050 Call. The strategy offers a favourable risk-reward profile of nearly 1:2 while limiting downside risk, making it suitable for the current range-bound yet positive market setup. TOP BETS FOR THE WEEK: L&T: Buy at CMP Rs 4,074, stop loss at Rs 3,950, target Rs 4,240- 4,400. L&T trades firmly above its key moving averages, with a rising RSI and a bullish weekly structure, indicating a favourable risk-reward setup at current levels. Indian Energy Exchange: CMP Rs 128.31, stop loss at Rs 124.50, target Rs 134-139.80. The stock has formed a bullish double-bottom near its 50-day moving average, backed by strong volumes.SUDEEP SHAH HEAD - TECHNICAL AND DERIVATIVE RESEARCH, SBI SECURITIESWhere is Nifty headed this week? Nifty remains trapped in a broad consolidation phase, with the monthly chart reflecting indecision through a bearish candle and near-term sentiment tilting slightly bearish after Friday’s late sell-off, though indicators still lack trend strength. The immediate hurdle lies at 23,750–23,800, while support at 23,300– 23,250 is crucial—below which a slide to 23,000 is possible, whereas a move above 23,800 could revive short-term bullish momentum. Trading strategy: Since the Index is trading in a broader range with volatility, we advise traders to go long on Nifty only on a breakout above 23,800 with a stop loss at 23,500 for a target of 24,250. TOP STOCKS FOR THE WEEK Nuvama Wealth Management: CMP Rs 1,554, stop loss at Rs 1,480, target Rs 1,690-1,750. The stock continues to display a strong price structure, trading above key moving averages across timeframes and reflecting sustained bullish momentum. After a healthy consolidation, it has broken out with buying visible on dips, while relative strength against peers and the broader market remains favourable. Syrma SGS Technology: CMP Rs 1,088, stop loss at Rs 1,045, target Rs 1,160-1,180. Syrma remains in a strong uptrend, outperforming peers in the EMS space and holding firmly above key moving averages with sustained buying interest on dips. Momentum indicators stay supportive, and improving relative strength versus the broader market points to further upside potential.
CNN's "Table for Five" erupts over Trump's $13 million Reflecting Pool renovation as panelists debate D.C. spending priorities versus federal cuts.
Gospel singer Grace Mwai announces her separation from Hiram Mwangi, alias Kamuhunjia. Reflecting on their journey, expressing gratitude and respect amid challenges.
Mumbai's property market achieved a record high in May 2026 with 12,315 registrations, a 7% year-on-year increase. This marks the strongest May performance in 14 years, reflecting robust end-user demand and buyer confidence. Despite a slight dip in stamp duty revenue due to a shift in transaction mix, the market fundamentals remain strong.
Prime Minister Modi's Mann Ki Baat highlighted inspiring social service, water conservation, and sports achievements. He celebrated India's mango heritage, urged heatwave precautions, and lauded traditional summer drinks reflecting cultural diversity. The address emphasized citizen participation and recognizing ordinary Indians making extraordinary contributions to nation-building.
While the midcap index flirts with new peaks, strong corporate earnings have helped cool down previously stretched valuations. Nippon India's Rupesh Patel analyses the resilient Q4 FY26 earnings season, breaking down how a bottom-up investing strategy can help investors uncover reasonable entry points despite building geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds.Edited excerpts from a chat with Rupesh Patel, Senior Fund Manager - Equity Investments, Nippon India Mutual Fund:Your Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund delivered a strong 22% over the last 5 years, beating the benchmark. But given your Growth at Reasonable Price (GARP) philosophy, where are you actually finding "reasonable" valuations in a midcap market that many currently see as overheated?On an aggregate basis, the NSE Midcap 150 index has remained almost flat since September 2024. However, during this period, earnings have grown at a reasonable rate. In fact, midcap as a category has been the most resilient and delivered higher growth compared to other segments of the market. As a result, valuations today, though they appear higher compared to long-term averages, have corrected as compared to where we were in September 2024.Coming to Nippon India Growth Fund, we follow a bottom-up approach to construct the portfolio and buy stocks based on their relative attractiveness on risk-reward equation. Some of the businesses in the category may appear expensive in the near term; however, the size of the opportunity and their ability to maintain earnings growth at a reasonable rate over the long term make them attractive from a medium to longer-term perspective. You are overweight financials and underweight technology in the midcap fund. What's the rationale? How do you think midcap lenders and midcap IT companies are placed at this stage?Our OW stance on financials is on account of our exposure to lenders as well as other beneficiaries of financialization of savings like Life Insurance companies, asset management companies, Exchanges, etc. On the lending side, most of our exposure is to well-capitalised lenders where asset quality is largely expected to hold, Return on Assets/ Return on Equity remains healthy, and valuations are reasonable in the context of the overall market.In IT companies, we have been underweight since the last few quarters, largely owing to the risk of a slowdown in earnings growth on account of current geopolitical uncertainties and the impact of disruptions like AI. Valuations were also a concern till a few quarters back. Going ahead, as the dust settles and some of these companies evolve and adapt to new realities, growth will recover from current lows. Companies in this sector are generally capital efficient and generate free cash flow, making them attractive bets again as valuations turn favourable.Within the midcap space, how do you read the Q4 earnings season? What are your biggest takeaways for investors?Q4 earnings season for midcaps has turned out to be quite resilient, and most companies are delivering on expectations. However, going ahead, risks related to deterioration in the macro environment, cost inflation, and logistics remain relevant. If current geopolitical uncertainties continue, we must be cognizant of these risks and their impact on earnings and valuations. Given the growth trajectory, valuations and earnings, midcap companies are in a sweet spot. Would you agree?If we look at the last few quarters, midcap companies’ earnings have remained resilient. Most of them have delivered healthy earnings growth even in Q4, FY’26. However, aggregate returns of midcap companies as represented by the NSE Midcap 150 index have remained flat since September 2024, resulting in a valuation correction over this period. Further, midcap is a very diverse category with a universe representing multiple sectors and some unique and fast-growing profit pools that have the potential to grow meaningfully over the medium to long term; hence, on a bottom-up basis as well, opportunities exist in this segment of the market. How have you been reshuffling your portfolio to realign it with the realities of war?As mentioned earlier, we remain cognizant of risks arising on account of deteriorating macro conditions, inflation in costs and logistical challenges, if current geopolitical uncertainties persist. We also remain aware of the potential impact of these risks not only on earnings growth but also on market valuations. In some instances, current stock prices may already be reflecting risks of these uncertainties, making the risk-reward favourable. Hence, our approach is to remain aware of valuations and avoid vulnerable businesses.From a 3-5 year perspective, which sectors do you think are best placed at this stage - both from a growth as well as a valuation perspective?We remain positive on Financials, Consumer Discretionary, and select industrials.Within financials, we are positive on lenders as well as companies that benefit from a bigger trend on the financialization of savings. Accordingly, we have exposure to companies in the insurance space, Asset Management Companies, Exchanges and other financial services companies. On lenders, asset quality remains benign, they are well capitalised, generate decent Return on Assets (RoA) and Return on Equity (RoE) and valuations are reasonable.Consumer discretionary companies are likely to benefit from favourable demographics, growth in per capita incomes and trends on premiumization playing out in multiple categories over the medium to long term.On the industrial front, the reason to be positive is on account of various initiatives taken by the government to encourage manufacturing in India. Select companies in Auto ancillaries, Electronics manufacturing, precision engineering and defence-related segments can also do well. However, these are broad sectors, and winners will have to be picked on a bottom-up basis, considering factors like their manufacturing prowess, management strength and cost competitiveness.The midcap index has already hit a new peak this month, ahead of both small and largecaps. What's the reason behind this optimism, and do you see valuation risk building?Although the midcap index is close to an all-time high, its last 20 months' returns have been flat despite midcap companies as an aggregate delivering superior growth. In that sense, valuations today have turned favourable on account of this time correction. Even if we look at the last 3 years' earnings on a CAGR basis, midcap as a category has reported superior earnings growth as compared to broader markets. Going ahead as well, the outlook on midcap companies’ earnings growth continues to remain healthier. In that sense, the performance of the midcap index is largely a reflection of underlying earnings growth. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times.)