Trump hints at ‘winding down’ Iran war as US deploys more troops to region

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump says he is considering “winding down” the military operations in Iran even as his administration deploys 2,500 additional marines to the region and asks Congress for more money to fund the war. In a social media post on Friday, Trump said the US was “getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East”....more

Modi Speaks To Iran President, Stresses On Opening Hormuz Shipping Lanes

NEW DELHI: As Iran continues its chokehold on the vital Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the country's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, and reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation. Following attacks by Israel on Iran's largest gas field, South Pars, and retaliatory strikes, including on Qatar's key Ras Laffan LNG complex, the Prime Minister also spoke out against the targeting of critical infrastructure, emphasising that it threatens stability and disrupts crucial supply chains....more

In call with Modi, Iranian President proposes West Asia security framework, seeks BRICS role

TEHRAN: Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Saturday, discussing bilateral relations and regional and international developments amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. Pezeshkian said, “Iran did not initiate the war.” He added that "the aggressor, without any justification, logic, or legal basis, launched military attacks against Iran during ongoing nuclear negotiations, resulting in the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, senior military commanders, and a number of defenceless civilians, including innocent schoolchildren, as well as targeting public infrastructure."...more

Vihaan Jain Becomes First Indian Golfer To Win AJGA OakWing Tournament

By Deepak Arora

ALEXANDRIA (Louisiana): Sixteen-year-old Indian golfer Vihaan Jain has won the 2026 AJGA (the American Junior Golf Association) Preview tournament held at OakWing Golf Club in Alexandria, Louisiana. He finished the event at four-under-par (212) on the 6,842-yard course, competing in challenging weather conditions. In the Boys Division, Vihaan Jain of India delivered an impressive performance to secure the championship. The tournament was decided on the final hole, where Vihaan made a birdie on the 18th to clinch the title, becoming the first Indian to win this prestigious event....more

Pay Without Performance: The Reform Challenge Before India's 8th Pay Commission

By Prajapati Trivedi

NEW DELHI: As the Union government prepares to initiate deliberations on the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the long-standing framework governing the salaries of central government employees is once again under scrutiny. Constituted roughly every decade since 1946, Pay Commissions have traditionally focused on revising pay structures and adjusting compensation to inflation. Over time, however, the debate has expanded beyond wages to include questions of bureaucratic efficiency, accountability, and performance within the public administration system....more

‘Inflation is coming’: Rahul Gandhi flags rupee crash, lists 4 direct effects as he claims Modi govt has no strategy

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday warned that India could be headed for a fresh wave of inflation, linking it to the weakening rupee and rising fuel costs amid the US-Israel war on Iran. “The rupee weakening against the dollar and heading towards 100, along with a sharp rise in industrial fuel prices — these aren't just numbers; they're clear signals of the inflation to come,” he wrote on X....more

Lexus New Delhi Brings Japan to the Capital with ‘Whispers of Japan’ Evening

NEW DELHI: An evening of culture, cuisine and luxury came alive in the heart of the capital as Lexus New Delhi hosted “Whispers of Japan” recently, offering its customers an immersive experience inspired by the rich traditions of Japan. Around 75 Lexus guests gathered at the Janpath showroom for the exclusive event, which celebrated the spirit of Japanese hospitality and craftsmanship that defines Lexus....more

Golf Stars Akshay Bhatia, Rayhan Thomas, Molinari To Feature In HIO 2026 At DLF Golf Club

NEW DELHI: Notable golf players such as 24-year-old Indian-American Akshay Bhatia, Italy’s Francesco Molinari, Rayhan Thomas, Eugenio Chacarra of Spain and India's Veer Ahlawat, Yuvraj Sandhu and Manu Gandas are set to play in the 2026 Hero Indian Open (HIO). The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 26 to 29 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram. It is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Indian Golf Union (IGU). Hero MotoCorp is the title sponsor of the event....more

Saptak Talwar Wins Indorama Ventures Open

AHMEDABAD: Saptak Talwar,27, the Indian with the maximum appearances on the PGA Tour Canada and European Challenge Tour, made full use of his vast international exposure to card rounds of 68-71-69-70 to win the ₹2.7 crore (US$300,000) Indorama Ventures Open at Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad at 10-under 278. The victory marked Talwar’s second win on the PGTI, following his triumph at the Adani Invitational Golf Championship at his home course, Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida, last year....more

UN maritime body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf

LONDON: The UN’s maritime body called Thursday for a safe shipping “corridor” in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, in a declaration following an emergency meeting that also condemned Iran. Following two days of urgent talks in London convened because of the Middle East war, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said in formal declaration that the “safe maritime corridor” should be established as “a provisional and urgent measure”....more

Anshul Mishra wins Northern India IGU Championship

PANCHKULA: Kolkata golfer Anshul Mishra claimed the IGU Northern India Amateur Golf Championship 2026 title after a strong closing round at Panchkula Golf Club. Mishra carded rounds of 72-70-71-69 to finish at 6-under 282, sealing the victory with his best round of the week in the final round. The Kolkata golfer, ranked third on the Indian Golf Union rankings in 2025, produced a composed finish to secure the championship....more

@ Vinamra Anand starts his 2026 campaign with a win in Chandigarh

US Deploys 3 Warships, 2,500 More Marines To Middle East: Report

WASHINGTON: The US military is deploying three more warships and roughly 2,500 more marines to the Middle East, an official says. One US official confirmed Friday that the USS Boxer and two other amphibious assault ships, along with roughly 2,500 Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, have deployed from their home port of San Diego and are bound for the Middle East....more

Iran attacks wipe out 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to five years, QatarEnergy CEO says

DUBAI/DOHA: Iranian attacks ‌have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, said QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs on Thursday....more

South Korean scientists create life-saving spray to stop bleeding instantly

SEOUL: Imagine a life-saving spray that instantly stops severe bleeding. That’s exactly what researchers in South Korea have developed — and it could change how wounds are treated on the battlefield, and in ambulances and emergency rooms. The next-generation hemostatic agent is being developed primarily for use by military and emergency medical professionals, though its simplicity suggests it may become more widespread in the future, allowing at-home usage....more