ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including reported Pakistani airstrikes in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan; Iran designating the naval and air forces of EU member states “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal move; US President Donald Trump pledging to raise a previously announced 10% global import tariff to 15% despite a Supreme Court ruling against earlier hikes; and Arab countries strongly condemning US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee’s remarks supporting Israel’s control over the region from the Nile to the Euphrates.
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Pakistani forces reportedly carried out airstrikes in several areas of eastern and southeastern Afghanistan, according to Afghan media and the Pakistani Ministry of Information.
“Sources told TOLOnews that following the airstrikes in Khogyani district, Nangarhar province, Pakistani forces also carried out strikes in the province’s Ghani Khel district, Nangarhar province and Behsud district, Nangarhar province,” the Afghan news channel wrote on US social media platform X.
“Sources add that in Behsud district, the home of a civilian identified as Shahabuddin was targeted. Pakistani forces also conducted airstrikes tonight in Barmal district, Paktika province and Urgun district, Paktika province,” it added.
Iran has designated the armed forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a tit-for-tat move.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country took reciprocal measures in response to the “illegal and unjustified” decision by EU member states to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a “terrorist organization.”
It noted that Iran decided to designate all naval and air forces of EU member states “terrorist organizations.”
US President Donald Trump escalated his renewed tariff campaign by pledging to raise a previously announced 10% global tariff to 15%, even after the Supreme Court ruled against his previous tariff hikes.
"Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday ... by the United States Supreme Court," the global tariff will be raised to 15% "effective immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Arab countries strongly condemned as “absurd and provocative,” unacceptable, and contrary to international law, the remarks by US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee, in which he openly accepted Israel’s control over the entire Middle East, including the occupied West Bank.
Huckabee argued on a podcast that Israel has a biblical right to the land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers, saying, “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all.”
He made the remarks in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and voiced support for the idea of “divine providence” giving control of the region to Israel.
NEWS IN BRIEF
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
A global call was issued at the conclusion of a five-day India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi to foster shared understanding, while respecting national sovereignty, on how AI can be used to benefit humanity.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit Declaration emphasized international cooperation across seven pillars: development of human capital; expanding access for social empowerment; trustworthiness of AI systems; energy efficiency of AI systems; use of AI in science; democratizing AI resources; and use of AI for economic growth and social good.
"In complementarity with existing international and other initiatives, we will work to foster shared understanding, while respecting national sovereignty, on how AI could be made to serve humanity," it added.
The CEO of Google DeepMind has called for more research into the threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) "to be done urgently."
Demis Hassabis said the sector desired "smart regulation" for "the real risks" caused by the technology, the BBC reported.
His remarks came during an interview at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi.
Demis said it was crucial to put strong safeguards in place to protect against the gravest dangers posed by increasingly autonomous systems.
Jordan and Venezuela have agreed to develop a roadmap identifying available and promising areas of economic cooperation, while reviewing regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The agreement came during separate meetings between Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, as well as Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, during an undeclared visit by Safadi to Caracas.
According to a statement by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, Rodríguez received Safadi, during which he conveyed King Abdullah II’s keenness to further develop relations between the two countries.
China has announced tax incentives for the next five years to promote science and technology, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
The Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs and the State Taxation Administration issued a statement announcing the incentives.
China launched its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) this year.
The policy, effective from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2030, exempts science and technology popularization institutions from import tariffs and import-linked value-added taxes on eligible goods.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to boost trade to $20 billion over the next five years.
Modi held “extensive engagements” with Lula, who is visiting New Delhi, and attended an AI summit organized by India this week, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on US social media company X.
Modi said the talks focused “on ways to deepen” the India-Brazil trade partnership.
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