Month: March 2026

US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) said that the ongoing conflict involving Iran would end soon, saying the situation would be “wrapped up” shortly and would ultimately result in a safer world.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said that the war could be “wrapped up soon”, adding, “It won’t be long. And we’re going to have a much safer world when it’s wrapped up. It’ll be wrapped up soon. We’re going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this. I didn’t want to” Trump said.

“You want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes,” he added.

Trump acknowledged that markets had shown some reaction but described it as a minor consequence compared to the security stakes involved.

“It’s a very small price to pay and, and I thought it was going to go down much more. It is a big chess game at a very high level. And I’m dealing with very smart players,” Trump added.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump on Monday indicated that his planned visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping could be postponed by about “a month or so” amid ongoing global tensions, as reported by CNN.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the decision was linked to the current conflict situation, stressing the need for his presence in the United States.

“We’re speaking to China. I would love to, but because of the war, I want to be here,” the president said.

“We have requested that we delay it a month or so, and I’m looking forward to meeting with him,” Trump added. “We’ve got a war going on. I think it’s important that I be here. So it could be that we delay it a little bit, not much.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier also indicated that the visit may be pushed back, as reported by CNN.

The potential delay comes as Trump has been urging China to play a role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, he said Washington was keen to understand Beijing’s stance on the issue ahead of the summit, CNN reported.

“I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits,” Trump told the Financial Times, as reported by CNN. (ANI)

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has declared that air navigation has returned to normal across the UAE’s airspace, as reported by the WAM news service. This follows the stabilisation of the situation and the lifting of the “temporary precautionary measures” that had been previously implemented.

According to the authority, the decision to resume standard operations was reached following a “comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions.” This process was conducted in close coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the region’s flight paths.

The GCAA further emphasised that “continuous real-time monitoring” remains in place to ensure the highest levels of safety of air navigation. This ongoing oversight is intended to manage any shifts in the regional aviation environment effectively.

The restoration of flights comes after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) implemented a temporary closure of its airspace on Tuesday. The full suspension of air traffic was triggered as national air defence systems engaged incoming missile and drone threats originating from Iran, amid a sharp escalation in regional hostilities.

The GCAA had originally confirmed the shutdown as an “exceptional precautionary measure” designed to protect the safety of flights and air crews, as well as the nation’s territory. State media reports indicate that the decision was a direct response to UAE air defences actively intercepting threats launched from Iranian territory.

In Dubai, local authorities clarified that loud explosions heard across the city were the result of “successful interceptions” by the country’s defence network. Despite these defensive successes, the regional volatility impacted energy infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, where a drone strike ignited a fire at the Shah gas field.

While officials confirmed the blaze at the Shah field had been “contained and brought under control,” operations at the site, one of the largest facilities of its kind globally, remain suspended pending a damage assessment.

These developments occur as the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day. The crisis, which began on 28 February, was triggered by US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has consistently targeted US bases and regional interests.

In the wake of the reopening, the GCAA acknowledged the “cooperation of passengers and airlines” during the recent period of disruption. The WAM news service noted that the Authority reaffirmed the “full readiness” of its technical and operational teams to respond to any further potential developments.

In its final statement, the Authority urged the public to obtain information from “official sources” to avoid misinformation regarding flight schedules or the status of the country’s airspace. (ANI)

Iran has asked India for the exchange of three tankers seized by it in exchange for permitting the safe passage of Indian-flagged or India-bound ships from the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Monday.

As per Reuters, India had earlier seized those tankers alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea. Indian authorities seized the tankers Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia and Stellar Ruby alleging they had concealed or altered their identity and movements, and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers. Stellar Ruby is Iranian-flagged, while the other two vessels are flagged to Nicaragua and Mali, as per Reuters.

Tehran has also sought supplies of certain medicines and medical equipment, according to one of the sources, an Iranian official. Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi met Indian foreign ministry officials on Monday to discuss the issue, the source told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Indian LPG carrier ‘Shivalik’, carrying about 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday evening. The carrier arrived at the port after safely transiting out of the Strait of Hormuz late last night/early this morning.

Earlier today, addressing the Inter Ministerial briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia in New Delhi, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said that documentation and priority berthing have been arranged at the port to ensure no delay in the discharge of cargo of the Shivalik.

The Indian-flagged vessel, ‘Jag Laadki’, which sailed from the UAE, carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is also safely en route to India.

According to the Shipping Ministry all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe and no incident has been reported in the last 24 hours.Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar championed direct dialogue with Tehran as the most efficient method for resuming maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, as India seeks to protect its energy security amidst intensifying tensions in West Asia.

In an interview with the Financial Times UK, the Union Minister stated that New Delhi is currently engaging with Iran to facilitate the reopening of the vital waterway, which handles nearly 20 per cent of global oil trade.

He noted that these discussions are “already yielding some results,” suggesting that India finds it more effective to “reason and coordinate” with Tehran rather than disengage.

However, Jaishankar clarified that a formal “blanket arrangement” for all Indian-flagged ships has not yet been established. He explained that the transit of vessels is currently being managed on a “case-by-case basis.” (ANI)

Singer Armaan Malik has criticised the lyrics of the newly released dance number ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’, starring Nora Fatehi, calling it “a new low”.

The song, which was released recently, features Fatehi alongside Sanjay Dutt is part of the upcoming film ‘KD: The Devil’.

Reacting to the video, Malik took to X to express disappointment over the song’s writing. “This showed up on my timeline and I had to replay it just to make sure I heard it right. Sad to see commercial songwriting hit a new low.., ” he wrote on X.

Many social media users criticised the track for “cheap and vulgar lyrics”

“Sad to see how normalised cheap and vulgar lyrics have become in mainstream songs. Shock value isn’t creativity. Bollywood music once had poetry, emotion and depth — we deserve that standard again,” one social media user wrote on X.

While another wrote, “Such a low level. My ear is bleeding..how even the music industry approving those lyrics? This nonsense should be banned”.

A period action entertainer based on true events from 1970s Bangalore, ‘KD – The Devil’ is presented by KVN Productions, directed by Prem and produced by Suprith. It features a multi-starrer cast including Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Nora Fatehi, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and V Ravichandran in important roles. The movie is set to hit theatres all across on April 30, 2026. (ANI)

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the current Indian side has established itself as one of the strongest white-ball teams ever, crediting their depth, experience and consistency in ICC events over the last few years.

India recently scripted history by becoming the first men’s team to successfully defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title after defeating the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The victory also marked India’s first T20 World Cup triumph on home soil.

Reflecting on India’s dominance across ICC white-ball tournaments, Ponting said the team’s record over the last few years speaks for itself.

“It’s really hard to argue a point against that,” Ponting said on the ICC Review when asked if the current Indian group is the strongest ever assembled in T20I cricket.

“If you look at this, not just the T20I team but their white-ball record in ICC events over the last five or six years, it’s quite remarkable.

“A lot of people probably identified before this tournament started the depth and the strength that this current Indian team had, and also the experience that they have.”

Ponting also highlighted that India’s latest triumph is the result of years of building a squad capable of dominating global tournaments.

“This is a very, very strong Indian white-ball team, not just a T20 team. Back-to-back World Cups, hats off to them,” Ponting added.

According to the former Australian skipper, the extensive match experience of Indian players, both in international cricket and the Indian Premier League, has played a crucial role in preparing them for high-pressure contests.

“The one thing that’s probably overlooked with this current team is the amount of experience and the amount of cricket a lot of these guys have played, whether it’s international cricket or even just the IPL,” he said.

“The IPL games are every bit as big as international games anyway, so this Indian team came in well primed with great balance and a great squad.”

Despite their dominant run, India endured a setback during the Super Eight stage when they lost to the South Africa national cricket team by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. However, Ponting felt the defeat proved to be a timely wake-up call.

“You win 12 matches on the trot, there’s bound to be an off day. And I am glad it’s come early. It might just be the shake-up India needed,” he noted.

“They would have learned from that experience and won’t take things for granted.”

India responded strongly after the loss, posting totals of 250-plus in three of their final four matches, including the semi-final and the title clash, as they sealed another memorable campaign.

“Maybe it just allowed them to regroup, get together, and talk about the things that are important to them as a team,” Ponting added.

“They solidified what they felt was their strongest playing XI and didn’t make many changes at the back end of the tournament.”

With aggressive batting displays and a balanced bowling attack throughout the knockout stages, India capped off their dominant run with a comprehensive victory over New Zealand to retain the T20 World Cup crown. (ANI)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that the United Kingdom will not be drawn into a wider war in West Asia, after US President Donald Trump warned that the future of NATO could be at stake unless allies, including the UK, provide military support in the region.

Starmer said in his press conference that the UK’s priority remains protecting its citizens in the region while taking necessary steps to defend itself and its allies.

He said, “First, we will protect our people in the region. Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war. And third, we will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops the Iranian threat to its neighbours.”

Starmer acknowledged that the cost of the West Asia conflict has been borne by the whole world, calling to end the “war as quickly as possible”.

“I want to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because the longer it goes on, the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home,” the UK Prime Minister said.

Greece and Germany also distanced themselves from the war.

“The war in Iran has nothing to do with NATO, a German government spokesperson said, adding that Germany would not take part in the war nor in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open through military means.

“As long as this war continues, there will be no participation, not even in any effort to keep the Strait of Hormuz open by military means,” Al Jazeera quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Greece also will not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said, as per Al Jazeera.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that diplomacy is the right way to solve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and there are no naval missions Italy is involved in that could be extended to the area.

“As far as Hormuz is concerned, I believe diplomacy needs to prevail,” Tajani told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Brussels, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

“Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea but I don’t see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz,” he added.

Trump had said on March 14 that “many countries” will dispatch warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, without offering details about which states are on board, as per Al Jazeera. (ANI)

Actor Raveena Tandon has dedicated a heartwarming birthday wish for her daughter Rasha Thadani, showering much love as the ‘Azaad’ star turns 21.

Raveena shared a carousel of pictures, capturing priceless moments from Rasha’s childhood days with family and friends. She also included a picture of her younger self holding a little Rasha in her lap.

The post also offered a glimpse from Rasha Thadani’s intimate birthday celebrations, showing Raveena along with her husband, Anil Thadani, celebrating their daughter’s birthday.

In her caption, Raveena wrote, “Happppy 21 my pudding! Could write an essay on you here, but will tell you instead.”

Many took to the comment section and showered Rasha with birthday wishes.

Filmmaker Rasha Khan Kunder wrote, “Happy birthday dear rasha.”

Raveena has been happily married to noted film exhibitor Anil Thadani since February 2004. The two are parents to their daughter, Rasha, and son, Ranbir. Raveena also has adopted daughters, Pooja and Chaya.

Actors Tamannaah Bhatia, Meezan Jafri, Abhay Verma, Aaman Devgan, and Nimrat Kaur also shared birthday wishes for the young star.

On the work front, Rasha Thadani will be next seen in ‘Laikey Laikaa’, also starring Abhay Verma. She is also set to make her singing debut with the song ‘Chaap Tilak’ from ‘Laikey Laikaa’.

Sung by Rasha and IP Singh, the song has been composed by Faridkot (Rajarshi Sanyal and IP Singh). The lyrics have been penned by Sidharth-Garima and Singh.

Earlier this year, the makers released the first look poster of the film across social media platforms.

Taking to their Instagram, Phantom Studios shared the poster of the film. The photo features the blood-drenched shoes of a boy and a girl as they stand on the stairs. The film is being directed by Saurabh Gupta.

While sharing the poster, Phanom Studios wrote, “Earn Love!”

They also unveiled a series of character posters from the film, offering a glimpse into Rasha and Abhay Verma’s story. (ANI)

The first look of ‘The Great Grand Superhero – Aliens ka Aagman’ starring actor Jackie Shroff has finally been unveiled, instantly transporting audiences back to the magic and imagination of childhood.

Set against the lively backdrop of school life, the first look beautifully captures the innocence of growing up. It’s a world where imagination runs wild and every ordinary day can turn into an extraordinary mission. The clip follows the tale of a school student who speaks about a secret in his family.

In the final moment, Jackie Shroff leaves audiences intrigued with a playful tease, leaving many wondering – “Is he the superhero? And what does the mysterious ‘aliens ka aagman’ hint at?”

“It also taps into a deeply nostalgic memory we all share, those unbelievable, sometimes absurd stories our grandparents told us growing up. Stories we often laughed at, sometimes refused to believe, yet secretly wished were true. The Great Grand Superhero – Aliens ka Aagman brings that very wonder alive on screen, reminding us of a time when the line between reality and imagination felt beautifully blurred,” the makers said, as per a press release.

Speaking about the film, Jackie Shroff shared, “As kids, we all grew up listening to the wildest stories from our grandparents, stories that sounded unbelievable, yet filled our hearts with wonder. This film captures that spirit of imagination and innocence beautifully. Being part of a story that celebrates childhood curiosity and family togetherness was truly special for me, and I hope audiences experience that same joy when they watch it,” the press release quoted.

Presented by Zee Studios, written and directed by Manish Saini, ‘The Great Grand Superhero’ is produced by Zee Studios and Amdavad Films.

‘The Great Grand Superhero’ stars Jackie Shroff, Prateik Smita Patil, Mihir Godbole, Shivansh Chorge, Durgesh Kumar, Saharsh Shukla, Kumar Saurabh, Bhagyashree Dasani and Sharat Saxena.

The film is slated to release this summer. (ANI)

Indian LPG carrier ‘Shivalik’, carrying about 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday evening.

The carrier arrived at the port after safely transiting out of the Strait of Hormuz late last night/early this morning.

Earlier today, addressing the Inter Ministerial briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia in New Delhi, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said that documentation and priority berthing have been arranged at the port to ensure no delay in the discharge of cargo of the Shivalik today.

The Shipping Ministry official further said that another Indian vessel carrying LPG, ‘Nanda Devi’, will arrive tomorrow.

The Indian-flagged vessel, ‘Jag Laadki’, which sailed from the UAE, carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is safely en route to India, Sinha said. The official said that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe and no incident has been reported in the last 24 hours.

Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar championed direct dialogue with Tehran as the most efficient method for resuming maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, as India seeks to protect its energy security amidst intensifying tensions in West Asia.

In an interview with the Financial Times UK, the Union Minister stated that New Delhi is currently engaging with Iran to facilitate the reopening of the vital waterway, which handles nearly 20 per cent of global oil trade.

He noted that these discussions are “already yielding some results,” suggesting that India finds it more effective to “reason and coordinate” with Tehran rather than disengage.

“Certainly, from India’s perspective, it is better that we reason and we coordinate and we get a solution than we don’t. While this is a welcome development, there is continuing conversation because there is continued work on that,” Jaishankar said.

The Minister highlighted the recent passage Shivalik and Nanda Devi, as a practical success of this diplomatic strategy. The tankers, carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

However, Jaishankar clarified that a formal “blanket arrangement” for all Indian-flagged ships has not yet been established. He explained that the transit of vessels is currently being managed on a “case-by-case basis.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Straight of Hormuz “is open, but closed to our enemies, to those who carried out this cowardly aggression against us and to their allies.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that the passage of ships through the key waterway would take place under special conditions due to what he described as insecurity created by Israel and the US in the region, adding that Iran’s armed forces control the passage and no country can use it to launch attacks on Iran.

He added that Iran, as a coastal country, has the right to take necessary measures in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure national security and prevent what he described as aggressors from misusing the waterway. Baghaei said Iran has historically been the guardian of safe passage through the strait but blamed the US and Israel for creating the current conditions.

Meanwhile, as the West Asia conflict enters its third week US and Israeli forces have continued to bombard Iran as Iranian counterattacks continue, with damage reported in several Israeli cities. (ANI)

When it comes to red carpet glamour, Priyanka Chopra once again proved why she remains one of the most watched style icons on the global stage.

At the 98th Academy Awards, ‘The Bluff’ actor delivered not one but two striking fashion moments, culminating in a dazzling appearance at the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Priyanka first stepped onto the Oscars red carpet as a presenter in a flawless white gown that quickly became one of the evening’s most talked-about looks.

However, the fashion moment did not end there.

Later in the evening, Priyanka arrived at the Vanity Fair after-party with a dramatic wardrobe change, embracing a bold and glamorous Hollywood aesthetic.

For the celebration, she wore a custom metallic silver-champagne gold gown designed by Stella McCartney. The shimmering outfit featured a striking backless design, a deep cowl-style neckline and a thigh-high slit that added a touch of drama. The gown also included fur detailing that accentuated the silhouette.

She paired the statement dress with a floor-length brown fur stole and understated gold hoop earrings, allowing the shimmering gown to remain the focal point. Her beauty look was kept soft and elegant, with voluminous waves framing her face and a subtle, natural makeup palette completing the glamorous appearance.

Priyanka was accompanied throughout the evening by her husband, singer and actor Nick Jonas. The couple coordinated their outfits for both events during the night. At the Oscars ceremony, Jonas wore a classic black velvet tuxedo.

For the after-party, he switched to a beige-coloured tuxedo coat paired with a crisp white shirt, black bow tie and black trousers, complementing Priyanka Chopra’s shimmering ensemble.

Adding to the buzz around the look, Jonas later shared a behind-the-scenes clip from Priyanka’s pre-party photoshoot on social media.

In the video, Nick Jonas can be seen lovingly adoring his wife as she poses for the shoot. He then faces the camera and says “icon,” referencing his wife.

In the caption, he praised the actor, writing “Confirmed.”

The post quickly drew attention online, with fans celebrating Priyanka Chopra’s glamorous appearance and the couple’s coordinated style moments. (ANI)