US strikes Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON: U.S. forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz in their first military action in a month on Sunday, breaking a lull in fighting during an intermittent war that has lasted more than six months. Iran swiftly vowed to retaliate for what it called a deadly attack. Forces with the Revolutionary Guard Corps were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait, according to Tim Hawkins, said a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. military last week completed clearing sea mines from the strait's international shipping routes....more
TASHKENT: India and Uzbekistan on Sunday raised their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, set a target of $5 billion in annual trade by 2030 and agreed to work for the long-term supply of uranium during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent....more

By Deepak Arora
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab, warning that disruptions at key maritime chokepoints are driving up prices, worsening hunger and putting the global food system under severe pressure. Speaking with newspersons here on Monday, Guterres said conflicts in different regions were increasingly converging in their impact on the world's most vulnerable populations, with disruptions to maritime traffic restricting the movement of energy, fertilizers, grain and other essential commodities....more
By Deepak Arora
MUMBAI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday called for India and the United States to work together as “true partners” to address friction points and unlock the full potential of their economic relationship. Addressing the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) National Convention in Mumbai, Ambassador Gor called for stronger India-US economic partnership. He stressed the need for predictable taxation and regulatory frameworks to provide businesses with greater certainty and encourage investment and innovation....more

By Rear Admiral Dhiren Vig (Retd)
NEW DELHI: India's military justice system, long regarded as a cornerstone of discipline within the Armed Forces, is facing renewed calls for reform amid concerns over procedural shortcomings, judicial delays and the need for greater transparency in court martial proceedings. The military legal framework operates under a distinct set of laws designed to ensure swift disciplinary action and maintain operational readiness, morale and discipline among service personnel....more
UNITED NATIONS: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett has emerged as the leading candidate in the second informal UN Security Council straw poll for the next Secretary-General, edging ahead of Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan as the race begins to take a more competitive shape. Rodrigues Birkett received 8 “encourage” votes, 3 “discourage” votes and 4 “no opinion” votes from the 15 members of the Security Council....more

By Deepak Arora
CONNECTICUT (USA): The Indian Overseas Congress USA has strengthened its political and community presence in the Northeast with the launch of its Connecticut Chapter, led by Kamal Swamy, as the organization moves to expand its grassroots network among Indian Americans. The new chapter was formally inaugurated in Connecticut in the presence of senior IOC USA leaders, community members and supporters. The launch marks another step in the organization's nationwide expansion under President Mohinder Singh Gilzian....more
NEW DELHI: India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank missile system from the United States, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Friday, calling the proposed procurement a major step forward in the defence partnership between the two countries and opening the door to potential co-production. “BIG news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system,” Gor said in a post on X, adding that the move would create new opportunities for deeper defence-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Washington....more

KATHMANDU: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the death toll has risen to 788, while at least 2,502 people remain missing. So far, 9,435 people have been rescued from flood-hit areas, the NDRRMA said. The disaster also killed 16 people on the Chinese side, while nearly 550 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports....more
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an FIR against those involved in the “shuddikaran” or purification of the Ramlila ground in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit, addressed a public meeting there....more

SRINAGAR: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. Ambassador Gor, who arrived in Srinagar as part of his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office, held discussions with Omar Abdullah on India-US relations and areas where Washington could engage with the Union Territory....more
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration has entered a sweeping agreement with Venezuela that, if realized, could give the U.S. access to vast amounts of the South American country's untapped oil reserves, at cost. Trump in a social media post announcing the agreement said it was negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez....more

NEW DELHI: Three sets of passages in Sonia Gandhi's forthcoming memoir were at the centre of discussions between the Congress leader and Penguin Random House India before the publisher decided not to publish the book in the country. These were: Chinese incursions along India's borders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and central government policies, and the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in India's social history....more
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of technology for all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence companies for production within the country, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday....more |