ISTANBUL 

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including Pakistan saying that any attempt by India to divert or stop water flow according to the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered an act of war, India asking its citizens to leave Pakistan, and US President Donald Trump signing an executive order on expediting offshore mining to counter China.

TOP STORIES

• Pakistan says any Indian attempt to divert, stop flow of water will be considered act of war

Any attempt by India to divert or stop water flow according to the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war, Pakistan warned, a day after New Delhi suspended the 1960 agreement following an attack in disputed Kashmir that killed 26 people.

Announcing reciprocal measures after a National Security Committee meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan said it will suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement and close the Wagah border, currently the only legal crossing between the two countries, with immediate effect.

Islamabad also suspended all trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan and closed airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines.

• India asks its citizens in Pakistan to return home ‘at the earliest’

India asked its citizens visiting Pakistan to return home “at the earliest.”

It also asked Indian nationals to avoid traveling to Pakistan, said a Foreign Ministry statement.

The ministry also announced the suspension of visa services to Pakistani citizens. Earlier, it had suspended visas to Pakistani citizens under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation framework.

• Trump signs executive order on expediting offshore mining to counter China

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at rapidly expanding the exploration and development of critical minerals from the seabed to counter China's dominance and reduce American reliance on "foreign adversaries."

The order, titled “Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” establishes a national policy to secure vital resources like nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium and rare earth elements found in vast offshore areas.

It cites "unprecedented economic and national security challenges" linked to dependence on foreign suppliers.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that efforts to weaken the relationship between Türkiye and the Turkic world will end in failure.
• The UK announced that it has lifted sanctions against Syrian ministries and intelligence agencies.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia used a North Korean-made ballistic missile in an overnight attack on Kyiv which killed 12 people and injured 90 others.
• US President Donald Trump maintained that his administration is "putting a lot of pressure on Russia" amid US-brokered negotiations to bring the Kremlin's war on Ukraine to an end.
• US federal agents arrested Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil without a warrant last month, according to newly filed court documents.
• The US State Department confirmed that the next round of indirect nuclear talks with Iran will be held Saturday in Oman, with Michael Anton, the director of policy planning at the State Department, leading the US technical delegation.
• The European Commission chief said the threat of tariffs risks further disruption to crucial supply chains, stressing that reliable and affordable energy is the "lifeblood of our economies."
• Spain's government moved to cancel a controversial arms contract with an Israeli company following mounting pressure from its left-wing coalition partner, the Sumar party.
• China launched three astronauts into space aboard its Shenzhou-20 spaceship, according to live visuals from the launch center.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• IMF chief urges countries to act swiftly to resolve trade tensions

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stressed that uncertainty is very costly and called for a quick resolution of tensions and compromise on trade policies.

Speaking at a press conference on the IMF's 2025 global policy agenda, Georgieva said “major trade policy shifts have spiked uncertainty off the charts, accompanied by tighter financial conditions and high market volatility."

• IMF says it wants to help Syria rebuild its institutions, reintegrate into global economy

International Monetary Fund (IMF) General Director Kristalina Georgieva said the IMF intends to assist Syria in rebuilding its institutions and reintegrating into the global economy.

Georgieva said at a press conference held as part of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings that they had a meeting with Syria this week.