FGN79 UK-STARMER-WASIA **** UK will not be ‘dragged into’ war against Iran: British PM Starmer London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that the UK will not be “dragged into” the war against Iran as he announced to host an international conference this week to discuss all viable diplomatic and political measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. **** FGN78 UAE-INDIAN **** Indian citizen injured in drone attack in UAE Dubai: An Indian national was injured when he was hit by shrapnel from a drone intercepted by the air defence system in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, local government said. **** FGN70 CHINA-BHUTAN-BORDER **** China, Bhutan discuss boundary alignment in undisputed areas Beijing: China and Bhutan on Wednesday discussed boundary alignment in areas “where there are no disputes” as the two sides held the 15th Expert Group Meeting on their boundary issues. **** FGN44 US-TRUMP-IRAN WAR **** Trump’s flip-flops on Iran war leave Americans confused Washington: From seeking help from NATO allies in the Iran war to declaring he does not need them, and from threatening to destroy Tehran’s energy infrastructure to postponing such strikes almost overnight – US President Donald Trump’s flip-flops since the start of the “military operations” a month ago have baffled Americans. **** FGN58 AFPAK-CHINA **** Pak, Afghan and Chinese officials to meet in Urumqi under trilateral mechanism: Report Islamabad: Officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China are meeting on Wednesday in the Chinese city of Urumqi under the trilateral mechanism, according to a media report. **** FGN27 CHINA-IRAN-PAK **** China, Pak propose peace plan for West Asia, call for ‘immediate’ end to hostilities Beijing/Islamabad: China and Pakistan have put forward a five-point proposal to end the West Asia conflict, calling for the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf region and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. **** FGN24 US-INDIA-TRADE **** US lists India’s preference for domestic satellites for DTH, localised internet shutdown as trade barrier Washington: The US has listed India’s preference for use of domestic satellites for direct-to-home (DTH) television services and localised shutdown of internet as a barrier to foreign trade. **** FGN17 US-ENVOY-TRUMP **** Trump cares deeply about US-India relationship: US envoy to India Washington: US President Donald Trump cares deeply about the US-India relationship, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday after meeting Trump at the White House. **** FGN39 ISRAEL-INDIA-ARMS **** Israeli defence firm supplies first batch of light machine guns to India Jerusalem: A leading Israeli small arms manufacturer has delivered the first batch of light machine guns (LMGs) to India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative with technology transfer. **** FGN25 US-SAFESEA-TANKER-PROBE **** Maritime company Safesea seeks probe into tanker hit that killed Indian crew member New York: A global maritime company has called for an independent international investigation into an attack on one of its crude oil tankers last month that killed an Indian crew member, describing it as a threat to global shipping and trade stability. **** FGN59 BANGLA-IRAN-FUEL **** Iran agrees to allow safe passage of six fuel carrying ships to Bangladesh Dhaka: Iran on Wednesday said its Security Council has approved safe passage to Bangladesh’s six fuel-carrying ships waiting to cross the Strait of Hormuz amid continued war in West Asia. **** FGN37 PAK-TERRORISTS **** Pak security forces kill 13 terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar: Pakistani security forces have killed 13 terrorists in two separate operations in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. **** FGN52 PAK-KILLINGS **** 6 killed, 2 injured as gunman opens fire during Jirga meeting in northwest Pak Peshawar: At least six persons were killed and two others injured when a gunman opened fire on a meeting of tribal elders in northwest Pakistan, police said on Wednesday. **** FGN76 US-IRAN-LD TRUMP **** Trump claims Iran president wants ceasefire; no response from Iran Dubai: Iran hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwait’s airport on Wednesday, while airstrikes battered Tehran even as US President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war and claimed that Iran’s president wanted a ceasefire. (AP)**** FGN64 IRAN-US-2NDLD ISRAEL **** Iran hits Kuwait airport, tanker off Qatar while strikes batter Tehran ahead of Trump speech Dubai: Iran hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwait’s airport on Wednesday while airstrikes battered Tehran — an unrelenting tempo hours after US President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war. (AP)**** FGN45 RUSSIA-PLANE-LD CRASH **** Russian military plane crashes in annexed Crimea, killing 29 people on board Moscow: A Russian military plane crashed in annexed Crimea, killing six crew and 23 passengers on board, Russian news agencies reported in the early hours of Wednesday, citing the country’s Defence Ministry. (AP) **** PY PY