As a ruler he was a pragmatist and adaptable, and trying all the time to strengthen and perpetuate the empire that he and his forefathers had built.He seldom, if ever, allowed his policies to be determined by his religious beliefs, notes Rudrangshu Mukherjee.
The US Supreme Court is poised to rule on the legality of state laws in West Virginia and Idaho that ban transgender student athletes from female sports teams. This contentious issue, deeply embedded in the nation's culture wars, challenges federal anti-discrimination laws and the Constitution's equal protection clause.
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to resume 'very hard' attacks on Iran, expressing frustration over Tehran's delays in signing a negotiated deal and citing the downing of a US Apache helicopter as grounds for renewed military action. Russia has called for restraint and a return to diplomacy amidst escalating tensions.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held "constructive" talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi, focusing on the normalisation of bilateral ties. The discussions reviewed recent developments and progress towards rebuilding trust after the eastern Ladakh border standoff. Both sides have implemented measures, including disengagement pacts and high-level meetings, to improve relations.
Crude oil prices experienced a sharp decline after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to military strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, easing geopolitical tensions and supply disruption fears.
According to Hezbollah, it fired a swarm of drones at radar sites and control rooms at the base on Tuesday, describing the move as retaliation for Israeli strikes.
Pakistani security forces killed 13 terrorists in two separate operations in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The operations targeted members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has launched self-defence strikes against multiple targets in Iran, citing ongoing Iranian aggression. This action has led to Iran's Red Crescent placing emergency centres on high alert amidst reports of explosions in several Iranian cities. Concurrently, Iraqi media claims Iran retaliated with a missile strike on a US air base in Erbil.
The United States military and Kuwaiti air defence forces successfully intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, with Iran's state broadcaster claiming American military installations in Kuwait were deliberately targeted.
India's armed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, extensively participated in yoga sessions across the country to commemorate International Day of Yoga. From high-altitude regions to parade grounds, thousands of personnel, their families, and cadets engaged in various asanas, highlighting yoga's role in promoting physical fitness, mental resilience, and holistic well-being.
Paras Defence and Space Technologies partners with Northstar Aviation to provide air-to-air refuelling technologies and support services to the Indian armed forces, enhancing mission endurance and operational flexibility.
Pakistan has criticised India's recent remarks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) protests, asserting it is addressing issues democratically. Pakistan also warned India against blocking water, calling it an "act of war," and commented on India's nuclear capabilities and its own military strikes in Afghanistan.
A Middle East expert claims that President Trump's approach to Iran is endangering US interests in the Gulf region, with support for the Iranian regime growing amid US-Israel tensions.
The IRGC accused US and Israeli forces of using civilians as 'human shields' and warned of continued attacks.
"The US President's statements are within the framework of efforts to reduce energy prices and gain time to implement his military plans," the ministry stated.
The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi concluded without a joint statement due to disagreements over the West Asia conflict, with Iran blaming the UAE for the lack of consensus. India, as the host, issued a chair's statement highlighting the differing views.
A new report suggests China's maritime vulnerability lies in the Strait of Hormuz, not Malacca, creating strategic competition in the Indian Ocean.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
The Kuwaiti Army reported intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks, while tensions escalate between the US and Iran with reported strikes and confrontations near the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistani security forces have killed six terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan province, recovering weapons and explosives. This follows another operation earlier in the week where 17 suspected terrorists were killed after a bomb attack in Quetta.
An 11-year-old boy's simple act of serving Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor has become an inspiring story. Shavan Singh voluntarily provided tea, water, and lassi to Army jawans deployed in his village along the Indo-Pak border, earning him national recognition and the title of 'Youngest Civilian Warrior'.
A resident of Pathankot, Punjab, has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan-based handlers, transmitting live feeds of army and paramilitary movements.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed 'forever grateful' to US President Donald Trump for his 'timely' intervention in securing a ceasefire with India following a military conflict last year, a claim India has consistently rejected.
A tech firm has delivered to the Army 106 turbojet-powered kamikaze drones designed to engage high-value targets deep inside enemy territory and operate in contested electromagnetic environments, according to a statement.
Beijing clearly intends to extend the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to Bangladesh as part of its larger Maritime Belt and Road Initiative to boost its Indian Ocean presence.
The boundary mess between India and Nepal needs a solution in a manner as mentioned by Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal: 'On evidence not emotions', counsels Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital of Beirut "should not have happened", warning that such escalation could jeopardise the peace agreement with Iran to achieve a complete solution to the West Asia conflict, which, according to him, is within reach.
The US and Iran have agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days after hours-long talks at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said on Monday, describing the progress as "encouraging."
Two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided mid-air during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, with all four crew members ejecting safely before the aircraft crashed.
Pakistani security forces conducted an operation in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing two terrorists. The region has a history of militant violence, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently accused of attacks following the end of their ceasefire.
The Chinese military is planning to revamp its English-language instruction in its academies to improve graduates' communication skills on the international stage, according to an article by senior lecturers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Pyongyang for his first official visit in seven years, meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reaffirm their long-standing friendship and pledge further development of bilateral relations amidst Pyongyang's deepening military ties with Moscow and China's assertions against Japan's 'new militarism'.
According to the Singapore Post, Kiribati a Micronesian country is discussing opening up its largest marine reserves to commercial fishing which may serve a dual purpose like a naval base for the Chinese as well.
The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Iran's 'shadow oil economy,' accusing Tehran of using illicit oil revenues to fund the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional activities.
Pakistani security forces have killed at least 17 militants in Balochistan province following a deadly train attack last week, the army said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the resolution of the West Asia crisis and the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, asserting that military action alone cannot achieve lasting peace. He made the remarks after talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ handset combines a striking quad-curved AMOLED display, a trio of 50 MP cameras, a 6,500 mAh battery, all wrapped in a stylish design aimed at power users and photography enthusiasts alike.
Equipped with advanced weaponry, the HMS Anson is fitted with "Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles" with a range of 1,600 km and "Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes," providing formidable offensive capabilities.
Security forces in Pakistan have killed 11 terrorists in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during intelligence-based operations.
'Critics say the political leadership abandoned the army chief or did not back him. I disagree. 'Military leaders are trained to take decisions when given a free hand.' 'This was a clear go-ahead from the prime minister to the army chief.'
