• Beijing urges Washington to stop irresponsible actions.
• US proposed three-way talks with Russia and China.
• China rejected disarmament negotiations “at this stage”.

China on Monday denied US allegations it had conducted secret nuclear explosive tests, calling them “outright lies” and accusing Washington of making excuses to start up its own trials.

At the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Friday, Thomas DiNanno, US under secretary of state for arms control accused China of conducting the tests, including one on 22nd June 2020, and of preparing for more tests with massive yields.

“The US allegations are completely groundless and are outright lies. China firmly opposes the US attempt to fabricate excuses for its own restarting of nuclear tests,” China’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement to AFP on Monday.

It also urged the United States to “immediately stop its irresponsible actions”.

US President Donald Trump said in October that Washington would start testing nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” with Moscow and Beijing, but without elaborating or explaining what kind of nuclear testing he wanted to resume.

DiNanno’s comments came as he was presenting a new US plan calling for three-way talks with Russia and China to set new limits on nuclear weapons, after the expiration of New START — the last treaty between top nuclear powers Washington and Moscow, which expired last Thursday.

China has already rejected joining disarmament negotiations “at this stage”.

A recent remark by Republican Congressman Brandon Gill, in which he said that parts of Dallas feel as if “you’re not in Dallas, Texas, but in Pakistan”, has triggered sharp reactions across a wide spectrum, particularly within the Pakistani-American community.

In a statement, which has circulated widely on social media, Congressman Gill framed his observation in the context of what he described as the area’s “Islamisation”, a characterisation that critics have called discriminatory and socially divisive.

The comment has drawn added scrutiny because the same congressman was invited just months earlier by the Pakistani community in Southlake, a suburb of Dallas, where a prominent and well-publicised fundraising event was held in his honour. Coverage of that event appeared prominently in Pakistan’s mainstream news media on September 5, 2024.

According to reports published at the time, the fundraiser took place at the Southlake residence of Dr Rao Kamran Ali, a national board member of the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. The event was co-hosted by noted attorney Saba Ahmed and prominent psychiatrist Dr Furqan Rizvi.

The gathering was attended by leading figures from the Pakistani-American community as well as distinguished professionals from various fields.

Speaking at the event, Gill emphasised the importance of US–Pakistan relations, expressed interest in expanding trade opportunities between the two countries, and stated that his views on immigration and social policy aligned closely with those of the Pakistani community. He also spoke appreciatively of the community and its contributions.

Remarks were also delivered by Republican activist Saba Ahmed, former Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee president Dr Haroon Siddiqui, and secretary Dr Syed Naveed Hussain. A large number of community leaders were present, several of whom made financial contributions to Mr Gill’s campaign.

Gill, a prominent conservative Republican and the son-in-law of Dinesh D’Souza, a close associate of President Donald Trump, later went on to win his primary election in Texas by a wide margin and was subsequently elected to Congress. He is of Indian origin.

It is this contrast that has now become central to the controversy. Critics on social media argue that attending Pakistani homes, participating in community events, and accepting campaign donations, while later publicly singling out the same community with remarks suggesting cultural threat, reflects a clear political double standard.

Analysts note that the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has long been defined by its multicultural character. Pakistani, Indian, Arab, and other immigrant communities have played significant roles in various fields, including business, medicine, engineering, education, and the broader economy. Framing this diversity through the lens of fear or religious suspicion, they argue, is neither fair nor consistent with American civic values.

The episode has once again underscored how sensitive and polarised debates around immigration, religion, and demographic change have become in the United States. For Pakistani-Americans, the remark is seen not merely as political rhetoric but as a challenge to their identity, their labour, and their place within American society.

It is for this reason that the Southlake fundraiser, once presented as an example of outreach, mutual respect, and political engagement, has now resurfaced as a critical point of reference — raising difficult questions for a community seeking consistency, dignity, and accountability in public life.

The Indian coast guard has reportedly seized three Iranian oil tankers in the Arabian Sea in what it called a “coordinated operation against an international oil smuggling network, according to Iranian media.

The development came weeks after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government withdrew from the Chabahar port agreement with Iran. New Delhi was forced to abandon its involvement in the port after the United States imposed a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Tehran, The Economic Times reported last week.

Taking to X, the Indian Coast Guard, without naming Iran, claimed that it intercepted the vessels around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on Friday following what it called “tech-enabled surveillance and data-pattern analysis.”

However, tanker-tracking analysts and Iranian media claimed the vessels were linked to Iran.

“The syndicate exploited mid-sea transfers in international waters to move cheap oil from conflict-ridden regions to motor tankers, evading duties owed to coastal states,” the coast guard said.

However, tanker-tracking firm TankerTrackers identified the vessels as AL JAFZIA, ASPHALT STAR, and STELLAR RUBY, saying all three were under US sanctions. The firm added that STELLAR RUBY was operating under the Iranian flag.

Iranian media separately reported that the seized tankers were linked to Iran and were detained on allegations of oil smuggling.

The Indian Coast Guard said the ships were known for frequently changing their identities, adding that the operation demonstrated India’s role as “a net provider of maritime security and guardian of the rules-based international order.”

Neither Indian authorities nor Iranian officials have publicly commented on the reports linking the seized vessels to Iran.