Despite President Trump's optimistic prediction of a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran, Tehran dismisses any possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs, citing deep distrust and highlighting the complexities of US-Iran relations.
Gwadar is viewed as a critical pearl in China's maritime strategy as it would give a permanent logistical footprint near an important choke point - the Strait of Hormuz and the oil rich Persian Gulf, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).
It is an unusual choice to depute a retired general for the funeral of a revered religious figure but a thoughtful one in an attempt to inject verve into the bilateral relationship and restore the equilibrium in India's West Asian policies, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
'US and Iran have not annulled the ceasefire, and the possibility of continuing negotiations remains open.'
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza are overcoming power cuts, poor internet and ongoing insecurity to follow the FIFA World Cup, finding brief moments of joy and escape amid the hardships of war and displacement.
Pakistan's military leadership has committed to securing the country's "rightful share" of water under the Indus Water Treaty, following India's actions post-Pahalgam attack. The military also expressed concerns over militant activities from Afghan territory and reaffirmed support for Kashmiris, vowing continued operations against terrorism.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi held talks focusing on the West Asia crisis and its impact on energy supplies and maritime stability.
US President Donald Trump has stated that the war with Iran is "close to over," while the US Central Command reports blocking traffic to Iranian ports.
Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a "revenge list" featuring 13 world leaders, including Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, with a graphic depicting them as targets, amidst escalating regional hostilities and US reports of an Iranian assassination plot against Trump.
Investor interest in precious metal exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rebounded sharply in June, with silver ETFs attracting an estimated 4,900 crore and gold ETFs around 2,900 crore in net inflows, following a significant correction in gold and silver prices.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced the official end of the war and warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon would violate an agreement between Iran and the United States. He also stated that negotiations on nuclear issues and sanctions lifting would begin on Saturday, led by Iran's Parliamentary Speaker M B Ghalibaf and US Vice President J D Vance.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring is calling for a judge-monitored probe into the suicide of a warehousing corporation official, differing from other Congress MPs who want a CBI investigation. The case involves allegations of harassment against a former minister.
This weekend, Donald Trump has begun to say the quiet part out loud -- that he wants to take control of Iran's oil, a formulation more in line with his robber-baron style of international relations.
'Our diplomacy should have been focused on preventing war and avoiding the inevitable disruptions it would cause, posing a real risk to India's growth story,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
A sensational New York Times report alleging that Israel's Mossad secretly groomed former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a post-Islamic Republic Iran is being scrutinised for its strategic timing amidst Iran's sensitive post-Khamenei transition.
From blink-and-miss song appearances to scene-stealing guest roles, Hrithik Roshan has turned even cameos into memorable moments.
Israel wishes to continue its bombing campaign until Iran's military and industrial infrastructure are degraded to a point where it ceases to pose a threat to Israel. Iran, for its part, has learnt from its experience in the 12-day war of last June. Any ceasefire, it believes, will only be a prelude to another attack on itself. It is determined to convey that any attack on Iran will impose heavy costs on Israel, the US, America's allies in the Gulf -- and on the world at large, points out T T Ram Mohan.
It may now be time to question the price India is paying for Israel's disregard of the serious undermining of India's energy security, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
The modern war is about quality over quantity, points out Mihir S Sharma.
'The main problem the country faces is not low GDP growth, but low employment growth.'
The latest development comes as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue despite renewed hostilities. CNN reported that US and Iranian officials are still working towards a nuclear agreement by mid-August, even as preparations for possible military action have continued in parallel.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are actively pushing Trump to take the war to its bitter finish and 'erase' Iran's presence in the geopolitics of the region. Simply put, the two most powerful Sunni Arab oligarchies are on the same page as Israel. Such interference increases the risk of a breakdown in dialogue between the US and Iran, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in Kolkata as part of an investigation into alleged fund routing from TMC's bank accounts for purchasing an Embraer jet and an AgustaWestland helicopter. The probe suggests Rs 160 crore was transferred to Carewell Aviation, with Rs 112 crore used for aircraft. The ED suspects the arrangement was designed to camouflage the true purpose of transactions. This comes amidst frozen TMC bank accounts and ongoing internal party disputes.
Congress leader K C Venugopal has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding privilege proceedings against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for allegedly "misleading" Parliament regarding Indian soldier casualties post the Pahalgam terror attack and during Operation Sindoor.
Yastika Bhatia scripted history by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's. Here's the inspiring story of her journey from Baroda prodigy and ACL injury comeback to India's latest cricket hero.
When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.
'India was not obliged to protect the Iranian ship.' 'Once the Iranian ship left Indian waters, she was on her own.' 'Guilt tripping India is wrong.'
India's handling of the Iran crisis reflects a growing strain between strategic autonomy and geopolitical alignment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The United States has launched a fresh wave of precision strikes, hitting approximately 90 Iranian military targets deep inside Iran, further intensifying a rapidly expanding regional conflict, with Tehran warning of severe retaliation.
The AI-enabled system detects nine types of errors in the kitchens that are primarily responsible for unhygienic food on trains.
The LPG squeeze on India's restaurant sector is the quotidian face of a deeper crisis.
The Alia Bhatt and Sharvari-led spy thriller Alpha has defied industry expectations, securing a respectable opening weekend at the box office.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israel is prepared to escalate military action against Iran, pending approval from the United States. This comes as US President Donald Trump says he would not use nuclear weapons in any conflict with Iran, while also claiming the US has 'total control' over the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Centre is committed to curbing unnatural demographic growth caused by abnormal factors, such as infiltration, with a ruthless approach and a quadrangular security grid has been created for the purpose, transforming India's approach from reactive to proactive.
Foreign investors have largely been exiting one part of the market while domestic investors have been enthusiastically accumulating another, points out Debashis Basu.
Passenger vehicle sales in India are estimated to have surged by nearly 25 per cent in June 2024, reaching approximately 4 lakh units, with Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors PV, and Mahindra & Mahindra leading the growth, despite concerns over geopolitical tensions and monsoon impact.
AI reduces the time taken to find a target and launch a strike. This has led to a major increase in the pace of the conflict, with one report mentioning nearly 900 strikes launched on Iranian targets in the first 12 hours of an operation.
'Periods of geopolitical uncertainty often see a rise in coordinated cyber threats, disinformation campaigns, and infrastructure targeting.'
The decision marks a significant leadership transition as the administration seeks a commander who 'will implement Donald Trump and Hegseth's vision for the Army'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indonesian parliament, emphasising India's commitment to development over expansionism and advocating for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the strong historical ties between India and Indonesia, calling for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, including defence, technology, and counter-terrorism, amidst growing concerns over regional security.
