Venezuela pushes launch of new banknotes

India on Thursday welcomed Nepal's successful elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah on their victory, signalling a fresh chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring nations.

India's Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, met Ant Group leadership to discuss fintech and digital economy opportunities. This follows high-level engagements with Shanghai's Mayor, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Reform, Perform and Transform" mantra to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the SCO and BRICS.

The US will release 172 million barrels of oil "beginning next week" to stabilse markets amid war with Iran. President Trump vowed to "finish the job" despite Tehran's threats to "destroy" the economy. While Trump suggests there is "practically nothing left to target," Israel claims it has "a broad bank of targets."

Speaking to ANI, Nasheed said the conflict could disrupt the country's fragile economic stability. "Tourist arrivals have come down. So that is going to have a very big impact on our economy and the prosperity of the people. So, yes, it is very, very difficult," he added.

North Korea is intensifying preparations for its upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for next week, including forming election committees and reviewing candidates for the Supreme People's Assembly, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency citing North Korean state media on Wednesday.

In the statement addressed to "fellow compatriots," Pahlavi warned that the situation had reached a highly sensitive point and urged people to prioritise their safety while maintaining unity through peaceful means of resistance.

China on Tuesday expressed concern over the functional blockage of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and called on "relevant parties" to immediately halt military operations and avoid further escalation.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi praised the heroism of Iranian protesters and urged the military to join the people following the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader. Pahlavi supported US-Israeli efforts to dismantle the regime's "infrastructure of terror" while accusing the leadership of using civilians as human shields.

With counting completed in 164 out of the total 165 constituencies, RSP has won 125 seats with Nepali Congress has secured 18 seats while the CPN-UML has won nine constituencies. The Nepali Communist Party has secured seven seats under the FPTP category.

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane on Monday said that the party would take forward the partnership with India to new heights for a prosperous future of people of both countries and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his warm wishes after RSP's electoral victory in the country's national polls.