The Straits Times World
중도 성향
정치
Latest escalation complicates efforts to end the US-Iran war
Iran accused the US of breaking an April 8 ceasefire deal with strikes on surveillance sites.
"COMPLICATES" · 중립 · 총 19건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 86,007건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.3(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,354건(5.1%)·중립 79,618건(92.6%)·부정 2,035건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 14.9(중도 균형)입니다.
Iran accused the US of breaking an April 8 ceasefire deal with strikes on surveillance sites.
In tonight's programme, efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak are hampered by mistrust and rumors. Ruto defends Kenya’s preparedness measures, including a U.S.-supported Ebola quarantine facility. And Africans themselves drive tourism's growth on the continent.
President Trump is increasingly fighting the Iran war on two fronts, battling a defiant Islamic regime that's stringing out peace talks and grappling with growing domestic pushback because of higher prices and anti-war sentiment.
A procedural motion to set up a final vote on the extension next week failed 47-52, with some Republicans joining Democrats. This complicates efforts to renew the critical program before its June 12 expiration
Washington’s proposed new tariff complicates negotiations
Trinamool Congress faces internal turmoil following a party split, with Lok Sabha MPs reportedly receiving overtures to abandon the Mamata Banerjee-Abhishek Banerjee leadership. Meanwhile, a faction of 58 MLAs has shown signs of wavering, with some demanding Mamata remain party chairperson. The Speaker's ruling invalidating expulsions further complicates the situation.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made contact with the New York Rangers about acquiring center Vincent Trocheck, driven by Max Domi's injury and a lack of proven depth at center. Toronto carries roughly $22.2 million in projected cap space, making Trocheck's $5.625 million hit workable. However, Rangers GM Chris Drury is demanding a first-round pick, an NHL-ready player, and a top prospect. Trocheck's modified no-trade clause further complicates movement. The deal is possible but far from done.
Israel's PM laughed off reports of friction, but he has tested the patience of other US presidents.
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Action Against Hunger Democratic Republic of Congo Population: 109.3 million People in Need: 21.2 million People Facing Hunger: 40.7 million Our Impact People Helped Last Year: 1,166,711 Our Team: 440 employees Program Start: 1997 The toll of the Ebola outbreak, officially declared on May 15, continues to rise. To date, more than 120 confirmed cases, over 900 suspected cases, and more than 220 deaths have been recorded in Ituri province and North Kivu. Present in both regions, Action Against Hunger is adapting its operations to respond to this large-scale crisis. Supporting Frontline Health Facilities The current outbreak is disrupting already fragile health services in this remote area. “We are present in the Mongbwalu health zone, the most affected by the outbreak, and in three other health zones in Ituri where we fear new infections in the coming days. We are working in close coordination with health and administrative authorities in the area. Our teams are highly mobilized to support health facilities as effectively as possible, in order to protect healthcare workers, who are particularly exposed to the risk of infection,” explains Julie Drouet, Country Director of Action Against Hunger in the DRC. In 12 health facilities in Mongbwalu, Action Against Hunger is providing protective equipment for medical staff, as well as infection prevention and control supplies (chlorine, sprayers for disinfection, cleaning equipment, etc.). In the DRC, only 37% of the population has access to a safe water source, and only 30% of health facilities have access to a reliable water supply. “In this context, infection prevention measures such as handwashing are difficult to implement,” adds Ms. Drouet. “That is why we are also supporting health facilities through the rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure,” she continues. A Health Challenge Against a Backdrop of Structural Crisis The northeast of the DRC is one of the most fragile and conflict-affected regions in the world. The insecurity situation has led to the displacement of more than 920,000 people in Ituri province. The Congolese population faces structural vulnerabilities that make epidemics in eastern DRC particularly dangerous. “In the Ituri region, 1.5 million people are facing food insecurity, and one in three people needs humanitarian assistance. The population in this region relies heavily on local markets to feed their families. Movement restrictions will therefore have a direct impact on their livelihoods and their ability to meet their basic needs,” warns Julie Drouet. As the situation evolves rapidly, it is a real race against time to contain the outbreak. Humanitarian NGOs on the ground are facing major logistical challenges. “For the moment, even humanitarian flights to and from Ebola-affected areas are suspended, which complicates team movements. Funding also remains very limited, making activity planning difficult.” Moreover, the region was already experiencing a humanitarian crisis prior to the Ebola outbreak, further worsening an already complex situation: “We cannot afford to stop our existing emergency projects. Our teams must adapt how activities are implemented to protect communities and our staff in order to break the chain of virus transmission, but our emergency actions must continue,” concludes Julie Drouet.
On March 2, Hezbollah again fired at Israel, prompting Israel to invade southern Lebanon
The federal government recently announced a Rs22 per litre reduction in petrol and high-speed diesel prices. The decision lowered petrol prices from above Rs403 per litre to approximately Rs381.78 per litre and was presented as a measure to provide relief to consumers facing persistent economic pressures. Yet the public response was far from enthusiastic. Instead of celebrations, many citizens reacted with scepticism. Others questioned whether the reduction would make any meaningful difference in their lives. The reason is simple: while petrol may have become cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, life itself remains expensive. Petrol still costs nearly Rs382 per litre, plus the prices of food, electricity, gas, medicines, transportation, and housing remain elevated. Consequently, many households do not perceive the reduction as a visible improvement. Public sentiment is also shaped by recent memory. Before regional tensions involving Iran disrupted global energy markets, petrol prices in Pakistan were substantially lower. Earlier this year, consumers were paying nearly Rs250-270 per litre. The subsequent surge in international oil prices pushed domestic fuel prices above Rs400 per litre. Although recent reductions have lowered prices somewhat, consumers naturally compare current rates with pre-crisis levels rather than with the record highs of recent weeks. From people’s perspective, the latest reduction appears less like meaningful relief and more like a partial reversal of earlier price increases From their perspective, the latest reduction appears less like meaningful relief and more like a partial reversal of earlier increases. Citizens evaluate economic conditions through their lived experiences. They judge affordability when purchasing vegetables, paying school fees, visiting hospitals, or receiving monthly utility bills. If these expenses remain, improvements in selected indicators rarely generate optimism. When fuel prices increase, transport operators often raise fares almost immediately. Traders cite higher transportation expenses to justify price increases. Manufacturers pass additional costs on to consumers. Yet when fuel prices decline, prices rarely move downward at the same pace. Prices rise rapidly but fall slowly. Consequently, households experience the full burden of inflation while receiving only limited benefits when costs begin to moderate. The food sector provides a clear example. Fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and livestock products all rely on transportation networks that connect farms to markets. During periods of rising diesel prices, transportation costs contribute to higher retail prices. Yet when diesel becomes cheaper, consumers often see little immediate change in the prices displayed at local markets. Part of the explanation lies in the broader inflationary environment. Businesses face multiple cost pressures simultaneously, including labour expenses, electricity tariffs, financing costs, rents, and regulatory charges. Once prices are adjusted upward, they are rarely reduced unless competitive pressures force businesses to do so. As a result, inflation tends to leave a lasting imprint on household budgets. Transportation expenses represent only one component of monthly budgets. Electricity bills, gas charges, school fees, healthcare costs, internet services, and housing rents continue to exert pressure on household finances. Even if lower petrol prices save a commuter a few hundred rupees per month, those savings can easily be offset by rising expenditures elsewhere. Perhaps the most telling indicator of affordability challenges emerged during Eidul-Azha this year. Anecdotally, many people observed that some families who traditionally performed qurbani every year either opted for smaller shares in collective sacrifices or chose not to participate at all because of economic constraints. When households begin reassessing even deeply valued annual practices because of affordability concerns, it serves as a powerful reminder that economic challenges extend far beyond the price of petrol. There is also a psychological dimension to affordability. Years of inflation have changed consumer behaviour. Families have become more cautious about spending. Businesses have delayed investments. Consumers increasingly prioritise necessities while postponing major purchases. Such behaviour reflects not only current economic conditions but also uncertainty about the future. Pakistan’s dependence on imported petroleum products further complicates the situation. While recent declines in international crude oil prices have created room for domestic reductions, future volatility remains a constant possibility. The writer is affiliated with the School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu P.R. China, and the Department of Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Development, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, June 1st, 2026
A US F-15E Strike Eagle was reportedly shot down over Iran by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile, marking a significant escalation. While US officials investigate, China denies providing recent military support, though past assistance and potential radar technology transfers are noted. The incident complicates ongoing US-China relations amid peace negotiations.
Taiwan has struggled to secure LNG supplies through May and finalised contracts covering roughly half of June demand, but additional procurement costs are expected to reach into the billions of US dollars to complete.
Siddaramaiah rejected a Rajya Sabha offer, opting to remain in Karnataka politics after resigning as Chief Minister. This decision complicates the transition for successor DK Shivakumar, as Siddaramaiah retains influence and potential leverage. His move signals a long-term strategy to shape state politics and potentially influence future elections.
IS there finally a deal to end the Iran war? Not even close. As the world awaited Washington’s approval of a framework that Tehran reportedly agreed upon to de-escalate tensions, US President Donald Trump cautioned negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran — a deal that could potentially lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a comprehensive peace plan. Hours after Iranian negotiators arrived in Qatar for discussions aimed at ending the war, American forces struck Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas, claiming they were acting in self-defence. This latest escalation by the US has coincided with intensified attacks by Israel on Lebanon. The close link between these two conflicts complicates negotiators’ efforts to reach a peace deal. It appears that Trump is acting under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some of his closest Republican allies in the Senate and beyond. Meanwhile, Trump posted a provocative image on his Truth Social platform, showing a map of the Middle East with Iran overlaid by the American flag and the phrase “United States of the Middle East?” He has further demanded that Arab and other Muslim nations join the Abraham Accords. This raises questions about whether the world, particularly Iran, can trust him, given his unpredictable behaviour. Trump’s ever-shifting stance has clouded the prospects of a peace deal in the near future. Pakistan’s mediation efforts, supported by regional countries, seemed to have brought Tehran and Washington closer to a peace deal that could have led to extensive negotiations between the two sides. According to reports, the proposed 14-point MoU, following weeks of intensive diplomatic talks, envisions an extension of the ceasefire, the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic and the removal of the US blockade of Iranian ports. Trump’s ever-shifting stance has clouded the prospects of a peace deal in the near future. That was to be followed by negotiations on other issues, including the relocation of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and a commitment from Tehran to allow the IAEA to monitor all aspects of the country’s remaining nuclear infrastructure. It calls for the unfreezing of Iranian foreign assets and the removal of all sanctions imposed on Iran, along with the termination of the UN mechanism that permits sanctions to be reimposed. Trump’s initial response was positive, and it appeared that an agreement could be reached last weekend. However, his reportedly unpleasant telephone call with the Israeli PM effectively stalled the potential agreement. Netanyahu has been opposed to ending the war, asserting that the objective has not yet been achieved. Unsurprisingly, some of the most conservative Republican senators, who have supported Trump’s stance on Iran, including prominent pro-Israel politicians Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, expressed strong reservations about proposing peace negotiations with Iran. Senator Graham, a close ally of Trump and a supporter of Israel, had warned on social media that reaching a peace deal now would reinforce the perception of Iran as the dominant force “requiring a diplomatic solution”, which he labelled “a nightmare for Israel”. He questioned “why the war was started” if these perceptions were correct. On Saturday, Trump spoke on the phone with several leaders representing the Arab and other Muslim countries, urging them to join the Abraham Accords that are aimed at normalising ties between Arab/Muslim states and Israel. He later posted on social media that “it should be mandatory that all of these countries, at a minimum, simultaneously sign onto the Abraham Accords”. His list included Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, among others. On Sunday, a day before Trump’s post went up, Senator Graham stated on social media, “If, in fact, as a result of these negotiations to end the Iranian conflict, our Arab and Muslim allies in the region agree to join the Abraham Accords, it would make this agreement one of the most consequential in the history of the Middle East.” Nothing could be more preposterous than negotiating a peace deal with Iran that involves Muslim countries recognising Israel’s hegemony at a time when the Zionist state is carrying out a genocidal war in Gaza and has committed, together with the US, war crimes in Iran. The Abraham Accords were initiated by Trump during his first term in office. The intent was to create a grand alliance between Israel and Arab Muslim countries, effectively legitimising the expansionist aims of the Zionist state. In 2020, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan signed the Accords. However, most other Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, refused to do so until a separate Palestinian state could be established. Trump’s recent statements are unlikely to be well received by his allies in the Middle East, many of whom have been directly affected by US-Israel actions against Iran. His decision to link the Iran peace deal with the signing of the Accords has raised doubts about his intentions. It appears that Trump is now trapped in a situation of his own making by engaging in a conflict with a country that posed no direct threat to the US — all under pressure from Israel. As one of the most unpopular presidents in recent US history, he faces criticism from both sides of the political spectrum — his pro-war conservative allies and rival Democrats — who are questioning the rationale behind entering the war without an exit plan. This war has not only led to the worst energy crisis in recent history, raising the spectre of a global economic recession, but has also impacted the American public through rising inflation. The latest US escalation has perhaps effectively ended the month-long fragile ceasefire and raised the possibility of a wider conflict, making the prospect of a peace deal increasingly elusive. Trump is once again mistaken in believing that escalating strikes will compel Iran to capitulate and yield what he terms a ‘Great Deal’. He is becoming further entangled in a no-win war, and American hubris may plunge the world deeper into chaos. It is now becoming increasingly difficult for the US to extricate itself from its disastrous military adventure. The world is less safe now with a rogue leader at the helm of the greatest power on earth. The writer is an author and journalist. zhussain100@yahoo.com X: @hidhussain Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2026
Kakao Mobility is considering a Nasdaq listing as pressure mounts from financial investors seeking an exit nearly nine years after their initial investment, as South Korea’s planned crackdown on spin-off listings of large conglomerates complicates the company’s domestic IPO options. According to investment banking sources on Monday, Kakao Mobility has selected Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and UBS as lead underwriters for a potential Nasdaq listing through American depositary receipts, or ADSs
There has long been infighting among the various factions of the dissident movement. This is hindering any plan to achieve consensus among the regime’s critics
“To be wealthy and honoured in an unjust society is a disgrace” — Confucius I OFTEN wonder that if I ever come to be awarded one of Pakistan’s civil honours (not that I deem myself worthy of one!), would I accept it? After all, many of my colleagues have done so and flaunt them with great pride. I am not sure I would. My discomfort would be this: what does success mean in an unjust system? In today’s Pakistan, where social and economic injustice, political patronage and selective accountability shape public life, this question is not philosophical but deeply personal and political. Wealth and honour are typically seen as rewards for hard work, perseverance or talent. Yet it forces us to examine the moral context in which such rewards are given. If a society is structured in ways that systematically disadvantage the many while privileging the few, then personal success within that system cannot be morally neutral. In Pakistan, the narrative of meritocracy coexists with societal inequality. Access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities is unevenly distributed, determined by socioeconomic status, geography, or connections. Elite institutions, nepotism and entrenched patronage create pathways that are accessible to a few but closed to others. Success devoid of ethical grounding is not only hollow; it is dishonourable. In such a system, achievement is rarely just the product of individual effort. It is often facilitated by inherited advantage, political connections or the ability to manipulate the system. When individuals rise within these structures and are celebrated as symbols of success, the broader question of fairness is conveniently sidelined. If the playing field is fundamentally unequal, then the honours and awards bestowed upon those who ‘succeed’ are deeply flawed. When wealth and political influence are intertwined, it further complicates the moral landscape. Business elites in the country often have close ties with those in power, benefiting from favourable policies, contracts or regulatory relief. In return, they offer financial support, legitimacy or silence. This symbiotic relationship blurs the line between economic success and political complicity, giving rise to a class of individuals whose wealth is not merely economic capital but also a form of political currency. Their ‘honour’, which is manifested through awards, social status or public recognition, becomes part of a system that sustains inequality. The absence of accountability means that those who benefit from unjust systems do not simply go unchallenged but are, in fact, celebrated. Their success stories are amplified, their lifestyles admired, and their influence normalised. This is not a sign of societal progress, but one of moral failure. This is one of the most insidious effects of an unjust system and how it shapes aspirations. In Pakistan, whether it is the normalisation of corruption, the acceptance of academic dishonesty or the reluctance to challenge unethical practices in public life, the moral cost of aspiration is high. Young people, in particular, internalise the idea that achieving such success is the ultimate goal, regardless of the means, creating a dangerous cycle. Instead of questioning the system, individuals adapt to it. Ethical compromises become normalised. Shortcuts are justified. Silence is preferred over dissent and the pursuit of success becomes detached from considerations of justice or integrity. Those who become wealthy and honoured by operating within or who benefit from flawed structures, become benchmarks of success for others. Success devoid of ethical grounding is not only hollow; it is dishonourable. The widening gap between the privileged and the marginalised in Pakistan has led to moral distancing. For those who are economically well off, the daily struggles of the common man — poverty, unemployment, rising inflation and violence — become abstract or invisible. This allows individuals to live in their bubbles and enjoy their status without having to confront conditions that make such disparities possible. Inequality is seen as unfortunate, rather than as being unjust and immoral. Yet, the moral burden does not disappear simply because it is ignored. To be wealthy in such a context is to be implicated, whether directly or indirectly, in the structures that produce inequality. An unjust society often sustains itself through the control of narrative. In Pakistan, the few voices that challenge inequality, corruption or abuse of power are frequently subjected to legal, social and institutional pressure. Journalists, activists and academics who attempt to raise their voice are met with censorship, intimidation and marginalisation. This narrows the space for critical dialogue and accountability. Under these conditions, those who enjoy wealth and honour have a choice to either remain silent and benefit from the status quo, or use their position to advocate for change. Silence in the face of injustice becomes a form of endorsement. What constitutes true honour in an unjust society? Confucian philosophy points toward integrity, fairness, and a commitment to the common good as the foundations of ethical living. In practical terms, this means redefining success, ie, valuing transparency over expediency, accountability over influence, and social responsibility over personal gain. It requires individuals — particularly those in positions of privilege — to critically examine how their success is achieved and what impact it has on others. An unjust system is not sustained by a few individuals, but by a whole network of behaviours, incentives and norms. A collective effort is needed to change such a system. This would include strengthening institutions to ensure fairness and accountability, promoting equitable access to opportunities, and fostering a culture that values integrity over mere success. It would mean citizens holding leaders and elites accountable, and questioning narratives that glorify wealth without examining its origins. It begins with recognising that the pursuit of wealth and honour cannot be divorced from the moral context in which they are obtained. To ignore this is to accept a diminished moral standard. The writer is professor emeritus, psychiatry, Aga Khan University. mmkarticle@gmail.com Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2026
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