Abbas Araghchi (Image/ANI)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran was “inches away” from sealing a deal with Washington during high-level ceasefire talks held in Islamabad, before what he described as US “extremism” caused the talks to collapse.In a post on Twitter, Araghchi said Iran had entered the talks “in good faith” with the aim of ending the months-long conflict. “Iran negotiated with the US in good faith to end the war,” he wrote, adding that at a critical moment, “we faced extremism, shifting goalposts, and a blockade.”He said negotiators had come close to an agreement on what was being called the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, but the process broke down due to unresolved differences. “Just inches away from an agreement… we faced extremism, shifting goalposts and blockades,” he said. “Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”Iran mocks Trump Hormuz blockade, warns of global energy crisis – follow live updatesThe talks in Pakistan marked the highest level of engagement between the two sides in nearly five decades, and were aimed at securing a fragile ceasefire and addressing long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues.However, the discussions ended without consensus, with both sides sharing blame over the failure to bridge key gaps. A US official, speaking anonymously, said Iran had not accepted several US “red lines”, including limits on uranium enrichment and broader safeguards.Shortly after the talks broke down, tensions escalated when US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes.US Central Command later clarified that the measures would focus on Iranian ports and be applied “impartially against ships of all countries”, while still allowing transit between non-Iranian ports through the strait.Iran responded by warning that the waterway would remain under its control. The Revolutionary Guard said military ships would face a “forceful response”, although non-military ships would still be allowed to pass.The renewed conflict has already roiled energy markets, with crude oil prices rising sharply after the blockade was announced.Despite the rupture, diplomatic efforts have not completely collapsed. Pakistan’s foreign minister said Islamabad would continue to facilitate talks, while Iran indicated it was open to further talks. The European Union and Oman also urged restraint and renewed talks, with Moscow offering assistance in mediation.Inside Iran, officials insisted that the failure of the talks was due to American overreach rather than irreconcilable differences on nuclear issues. A senior Iranian negotiator said the discussions failed on “two or three key issues”, and accused Washington of attempting to expand its demands at the last minute.

The failure of the Islamabad talks has left the future of the ceasefire uncertain, with no clarity on what happens next when the current ceasefire period ends at the end of this month.

वाराणसी समाचार:वाराणसी प्रशासन अब पूरी तरह से अलर्ट मोड में है। मथुरा में यमुना नदी में हुए हादसों की वजह से. वाराणसी के गंगा नदी और घाटों पर सुरक्षा व्यवस्था और मजबूत कर दी गई है. इसके तहत रविवार को जल पुलिस और पुलिस कमिश्नरेट की टीम ने वाराणसी के प्रमुख गंगा घाटों पर संयुक्त चेकिंग अभियान चलाया. इस अभियान में नाव संचालन एवं पर्यटक सुरक्षा को प्राथमिकता दी गई। लापरवाही पाए जाने पर कई सख्त कार्रवाई की गई, जिससे नाव चालकों में हड़कंप मच गया.

चेकिंग अभियान में 12 नावें जब्त, 9 पर मामला दर्ज
ऑपरेशन के दौरान, पुलिस ने पाया कि कई नावों पर यात्रियों ने लाइफ जैकेट नहीं पहने थे, जो एक गंभीर सुरक्षा उल्लंघन था। इस लापरवाही को देखते हुए प्रशासन ने सख्त कार्रवाई करते हुए 12 नावों को जब्त कर लिया. साथ ही 9 लोगों के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज किया गया है. अधिकारियों के मुताबिक, पर्यटकों की सुरक्षा को ध्यान में रखते हुए यह कार्रवाई की गई है ताकि भविष्य में किसी भी तरह की दुर्घटना को रोका जा सके.

घाटों पर लगातार निगरानी एवं सुरक्षा व्यवस्था
भेलूपुर एसीपी गौरव सिंह ने बताया कि गंगा घाटों पर लगातार निगरानी रखी जा रही है। रविवार को घाटों पर बड़ी संख्या में पर्यटक पहुंचे थे, इसलिए उनकी सुरक्षा सबसे महत्वपूर्ण है. उन्होंने कहा कि नियमों का पालन नहीं करने वाले नाव चालकों पर कड़ी कार्रवाई की जायेगी.

सादी वर्दी में भी रखी जाएगी नजर
एसीपी डॉ. अतुल अंजान त्रिपाठी ने बताया कि अब जल पुलिस के साथ-साथ सादे कपड़ों में भी अधिकारी नाव संचालन और घाटों पर नजर रखेंगे। इसका उद्देश्य यह सुनिश्चित करना है कि कोई भी नियमों की अनदेखी न करे और पर्यटकों की सुरक्षा हर कीमत पर बनी रहे।

पर्यटकों से सुरक्षा नियमों का पालन करने की अपील
पुलिस प्रशासन ने भी आम लोगों और पर्यटकों से गंगा नदी में नाव यात्रा के दौरान लाइफ जैकेट अनिवार्य रूप से पहनने की अपील की है. साथ ही बिना जानकारी के गहरे पानी वाले क्षेत्रों में न जाएं। घाटों पर सुरक्षा संबंधी बोर्ड भी लगाए गए हैं ताकि लोगों को सतर्क किया जा सके.

Kuwait has made significant changes to its citizenship law, giving the government greater authority to grant and revoke nationality. The new decree tightens eligibility criteria, particularly for naturalization and marriage-based applications, while strengthening strict rules against dual nationality. These reforms aim to protect national identity and correct past irregularities, ensuring that citizenship is granted strictly by law.

Kuwait Sweeping amendments to its citizenship law were introduced under a new Emirati decree, expanding the government’s authority to grant and revoke nationality, while tightening eligibility criteria in several categories.The changes were issued under the directives of Sheikh Mishaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and formalized through an Emirati decree-law as part of broader legal reforms aimed at protecting national identity and addressing long-standing concerns over citizenship irregularities.Interior Ministry officials said the amendments are designed to “preserve the integrity of Kuwaiti nationality” and ensure that citizenship is granted in strict accordance with the law.

Kuwait Citizenship Law Amendments 2026

Under the amended law, the government has expanded its power to revoke citizenship in specific cases, particularly where nationality was obtained on the basis of fraud, misrepresentation or false information. Officials clarified that such decisions would follow legal procedures and remain subject to review.The decree also includes stringent provisions relating to dual nationality, reaffirming Kuwait’s long-standing policy that citizens should not hold a second nationality unless explicitly permitted. Kuwaiti citizenship can now be withdrawn upon violation.Additionally, authorities have tightened monitoring of naturalization cases, placing greater scrutiny on applications and documentation. Officials said it is part of efforts to address past irregularities and ensure transparency in the citizenship process.

Eligibility under new Kuwaiti law

The amendments also reshape the eligibility pathways to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship. Authorities have introduced more stringent conditions for applicants, including longer residence requirements and strict background checks.Special provisions relating to citizenship by marriage have also been revised. Officials indicated that cases involving foreign spouses would now be thoroughly evaluated, with citizenship no longer granted automatically after a certain period of time, but subject to compliance with updated legal conditions.According to officials familiar with the changes, the reforms are intended to “balance humanitarian considerations with national interests”, particularly in sensitive categories such as family-based naturalization.

Government’s stance

In statements carried by state media, Interior Ministry officials stressed that the amendments are part of a broader national effort to strengthen the legal framework and prevent abuse of citizenship provisions.“The updated law reinforces Kuwait’s commitment to protecting its national identity and ensuring fairness in the application of citizenship rules,” an official statement said.Officials also stressed that enforcement will follow due process and that individuals affected by revocation decisions will have access to legal channels defined under Kuwaiti law.

looking ahead

For migrants and applicants, the new law signals a more controlled and strictly regulated citizenship process. Individuals seeking Kuwaiti nationality must meet strict eligibility standards and ensure full compliance with documentation requirements.For existing citizens, the amendments serve as a reminder of the legal obligations associated with nationality, particularly in relation to dual citizenship and accurate disclosure of information.Overall, the reforms mark a significant change in Kuwait’s approach towards citizenship, moving towards tighter monitoring, clearer legal authorities and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

राज्य सरकार उद्घाटन समारोह को यादगार बनाने की तैयारियों में जुटी है. आपको बता दें कि प्रधानमंत्री बनने के बाद मोदी पांच बार केदारनाथ के दर्शन कर चुके हैं और बद्रीनाथ और मुखबा के भी दर्शन कर चुके हैं. पिछले साल मार्च में प्रधानमंत्री ने उत्तरकाशी जिले में मां गंगा के शीतकालीन प्रवास स्थल मुखबा पहुंचकर शीतकालीन यात्रा का संदेश दिया था।

यह भी पढ़ें…रुड़की: मंदिर में सो रहे सेवक की हत्या; सिर पर वार कर हत्या की गयी, सुबह खून से लथपथ शव मिला.

प्रधानमंत्री मोदी का उत्तराखंड से कर्म और मर्म का रिश्ता!

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी का उत्तराखंड से कर्म और दिल का रिश्ता है। उत्तराखंड उनके दिल में बसता है। उनके दौरे को लेकर देवभूमिवासियों में जबरदस्त उत्साह है। उनके मार्गदर्शन में दो लाख करोड़ से अधिक की विकास योजनाएं जमीन पर उतरी हैं। कनेक्टिविटी के क्षेत्र में क्रांति आ गई है. चारधाम ऑल वेदर रोड परियोजना, ऋषिकेश-कर्णप्रयाग रेल परियोजना, केदारनाथ और हेमकुंट साहिब रोपवे परियोजना, देहरादून-दिल्ली एलिवेटेड रोड जैसी बड़ी परियोजनाओं को मंजूरी दी गई है। -पुष्कर सिंह धामी, मुख्यमंत्री

The Italy national football team’s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup have taken an unexpected turn, with reports suggesting a potential backdoor could open ahead of the 2026 tournament.

FIFA is internally assessing contingency plans amid uncertainty over the Iran national football team’s participation, according to multiple reports, as geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over their participation in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Italy had earlier seen their qualification dreams dashed Following a painful playoff defeat to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, their absence from the World Cup extended to the third consecutive edition. got a shock too Resignation of head coach Gennaro GattusoFurther underlines the scale of the crisis.

However, with uncertainty over Iran’s place, discussions have reportedly begun on a possible extraordinary playoff scenario that could involve teams that missed qualification.

Despite speculation, Gianni Infantino has publicly stated that there are no alternative plans at this stage, even though negotiations continue behind the scenes.

“We want Iran to play in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A. Iran represents its people – both those living in Iran and those living abroad,” Infantino said recently.

At the same time, political concerns have also added to the uncertainty, with Donald Trump warning about the safety and appropriateness of Iran’s involvement given already ongoing tensions.

Will Iran play FIFA World Cup 2026?

As things stand, Iran are still expected to feature in the tournament and have already been drawn in Group G along with the Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team and New Zealand national football team.

However, the situation remains unstable. Although a temporary ceasefire is reportedly in place, there is no long-term clarity on whether conditions will remain stable enough for teams to travel and compete without complications.

FIFA, at least publicly, has been supportive of Iran’s participation. But the mere fact that contingent discussions are being reported suggests that governing bodies are quietly preparing for all possibilities.

How can Italy play World Cup 2026?

For now, Italy’s path is entirely hypothetical and dependent on developments outside their control. Any possibility of a return depends entirely on Iran’s withdrawal, which FIFA has publicly denied but has been quietly preparing for behind the scenes.

Even if this happens, the path is not straight. FIFA would need to approve an extraordinary process, which is likely to involve multiple associations, rather than handing out replacement places directly.

Possible scenarios being discussed:

• A one-off intercontinental playoff involving European and Asian teams
• Italy likely to be among top European non-qualifiers due to ranking
• Two European and two Asian teams can participate in a mini tournament
• Winners can fill the void if Iran withdraws
• Asian teams like UAE or Iraq are also in the race for replacement

“This is a continental matter. It actually seems very difficult to me that there could be an issue, unless an issue arises within Europe,” said Andrea Abodi.

“I don’t think so, and I wouldn’t expect it to,” he said, playing down expectations that Italy would benefit from the situation.

Despite the exploration of contingency plans, the chances remain slim. For Italy, it is less about planning a comeback and more about maintaining a hazy, unpredictable prospect.

– ends

Saudi Arabia bans entry to Mecca without permit, suspends Umrah visa / Image: File

saudi arabia It has imposed sweeping new restrictions ahead of the Hajj 2026, banning entry to Mecca without an official permit and suspending Umrah visas as authorities prepare for one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.The move, led by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Interior Ministry, comes as the Kingdom beefs up crowd-control and security systems amid expectations of millions of pilgrims arriving in the coming weeks.Officials say the measures are important to ensure a safe and organized pilgrimage, especially after previous challenges involving overcrowding and unauthorized participation.

Saudi has tightened Hajj access controls

From April 13, entry to Mecca is restricted only to those with valid Hajj permits or officially approved work and residence documents linked to the holy city. Authorities have made it clear that all other visa holders, including tourists and Umrah pilgrims, will be denied entry during this period.In a statement carried by Saudi media, Interior Ministry officials stressed that the decision was aimed at “protecting the safety of pilgrims and ensuring smooth movement within the holy sites.” He said security checkpoints have been strengthened on major entry routes into Mecca.The Kingdom has increasingly relied on digital permit systems in recent years, integrating platforms such as the Nusuk app to verify pilgrims’ status and prevent unauthorized entry. Officials warned that violators could face penalties including fines, deportation and bans from future entry.

Main deadlines pilgrims should know about

As the Hajj approaches, Saudi Arabia has officially suspended Umrah permits, a standard annual step in preparing the holy sites.Here are the key deadlines confirmed from multiple sources:

After these dates:

Authorities will begin evacuating Umrah pilgrims from the holy cities to make way for Hajj operations.

Hajj 2026 expected pilgrims

Saudi Arabia began issuing Hajj visas on February 8, 2026, marking the initial start of international pilgrimage coordination. According to officials, the first wave of pilgrims is expected to arrive from April 18, with the arrival continuing in phases.Although final numbers have not yet been officially confirmed, early indicators suggest participation may equal or exceed previous years. In 2025, the Hajj is expected to attract more than 1.8 million pilgrims, and officials expect the same or more numbers this year as global travel demand stabilises.Officials also indicated that hundreds of thousands of applications have already been processed through the Nusuk platform, reflecting strong international demand. The system allows pilgrims to book packages, permits and services digitally, helping authorities track and manage arrivals in real time.A senior official quoted in regional reports said the early visa issuance and phased arrivals are designed to “eliminate last-minute rush and improve the overall pilgrim experience from arrival to departure”.

What do pilgrims need to know for Hajj 2026?

Saudi authorities have made their message clear: entry to Mecca during the Hajj season is strictly regulated and is only possible with an approved Hajj permit. Umrah travel will remain suspended until after the pilgrimage, which is expected to end in June, after which services will gradually resume.Travelers are advised to closely follow the official timelines, complete bookings through authorized platforms and avoid relying on travel or tourist visas for Haj pilgrimage. Authorities warned that violations could result in heavy fines, deportation and long-term entry bans.As preparations ramp up, Saudi Arabia is projecting Hajj 2026 as a tightly managed, technology-driven pilgrimage – prioritizing security, efficiency and a more controlled flow of millions of people entering Islam’s holiest city.