Trump Says 'Will Bring Iran Back To Stone Ages'; To Hit 'Extremely Hard'

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed victory over the US-Israeli war against Iran, claiming US military action has destroyed Tehran's military prowess and will 'finish the job' very soon, as 'core strategic objectives are nearing completion'. Addressing the nation about his plans in the Middle East, the commander-in-chief said US forces will hit Iran 'extremely hard' for the next two to three weeks and again threatened Iranian power plants....more

Foreign Secretary Misri represents India at U.K.-hosted meet on Strait of Hormuz

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India on Thursday at a U.K.-hosted summit of nearly 30 nations that focused on ensuring safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran's partial blockade of the strategic waterway which has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies. Misri, joining the deliberations through virtual mode, articulated India's stance on safety of international shipping lanes in the region....more

Modi speaks to Netherlands PM, discusses bilateral ties and West Asia situation

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Monday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing the evolving situation in West Asia. During the call, the two leaders reviewed the growing partnership between India and the Netherlands and explored ways to expand cooperation in key sectors such as semiconductors, green hydrogen, water management, and skilled workforce mobility....more

India Deepens Critical Minerals Push with New Reforms

By Ricky Chopra

NEW DELHI: India is accelerating its efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and continued global dependence on China, but structural challenges in production and processing remain significant hurdles. Critical minerals—particularly rare earth elements such as lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium—are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. While India has made major policy strides, its current production accounts for less than 1% of global output, underscoring the gap between ambition and capacity....more

Modi chairs security meet amid West Asia crisis; reviews fuel, energy supply

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures taken by various ministries/ departments amid the West Asia crisis. This was the second CCS meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on the matter. During the meeting, Modi reviewed supply diversification for LPG and LNG, as well as fuel duty reduction and power sector measures to ensure that essentials remain stable....more

Trump ‘considering pulling out of NATO’ after setback from allies in Iran war: Report

WASHINGTON: The United States' war against Iran has exposed several fractures in the US over domestic support to an overseas war and also put to test allies and their allegiances in the ongoing conflict, now in its second month. After a series of rebukes from European allies over support to US and its operations in the Middle East, Trump has now professed a 'dangerous idea', one that has more global ramifications than US-Europe relations: a possible exit from NATO, a military bloc that was once formed by US as its founding member....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

Iran’s ex-foreign minister Kharazi ‘gravely wounded’ in attack on his home

TEHRAN: Former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi has been seriously wounded in an apparent assassination attempt that killed his wife, as United States-Israeli strikes continue to pound Iran for a fifth week. Iranian media on Thursday reported that Kharazi’s home in Tehran was targeted the previous day in an air strike. The official was hospitalised with serious injuries, according to newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Ham Mihan....more

We are keen to see de-escalation: British envoy Lindy Cameron on West Asia situation

NEW DELHI: British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron on Thursday said the U.K. is keen to see “de-escalation” in West Asia and eventually the conflict come to an end besides the resumption of oil flow in order to ensure it does not have a detrimental impact on its economy. At an interactive session hosted at an event, she also said the U.K., however, is “supportive of defensive action to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, which is prolonging the conflict and causing damage to allies and people in the region”....more

South Africa’s MJ Daffue secures win at DP World PGTI Open 2026

NUH: MJ  Daffue produced a bogey-free final round to seal a second HotelPlanner Tour title in two months on a thrilling final day of the DP World PGTI Open, a US$300,000 event co-sanctioned by the DP World PGTI and the HotelPlanner Tour. The South African, who started Sunday with a four-stroke lead, signed for a 69 to reach 21 under par 267 and finish one shot clear of American Jhared Hack and India’s Saptak Talwar....more

IndiGo names ex-British Airways chief William Walsh as new CEO

NEW DELHI: Airline carrier IndiGo on Tuesday announced the appointment of William Walsh, the current IATA (International Air Transport Association) chief, as its chief executive officer (CEO). “The Board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) today appointed William Walsh as the Chief Executive Officer, subject to regulatory approvals. Walsh’s tenure at IATA ((International Air Transport Association) comes to a close on the 31st of July, 2026, and he is expected to join no later than on the 3rd of August, 2026,” a statement from IndiGo said....more

Singapore's Changi Airport tops among list of 100 world's best, Delhi's IGI is at 28th

LONDON: Singapore's Changi Airport has topped the list of world's best airports for the fourteenth time since 2000 at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026. The airport was also named the World’s Best Airport Dining, the World’s Best Airport in the 60–70 Million Passenger Category, the World’s Best Airport Immigration Service, and the Best Airport in Asia....more

India waives customs duty on key petrochemicals amid US–Iran conflict

NEW DELHI: The finance ministry has announced a full customs duty exemption on a wide range of critical petrochemical products to shield the domestic industry amid the raging US-Iran war. The exemptions will stay in place till June 30, 2026, the ministry said in a statement. The move comes amid a war which has disrupted global supply chains, tightened shipping routes, and pushed up input costs for energy-linked industries worldwide....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