with PM Narendra Modi In The Hague, the Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen An exclusive interview with Sachin Parashar explains the geopolitical imperative for the new India-Netherlands strategic partnership, semiconductor focus and trust-based relationship.This is PM Modi’s second visit Netherlands And for the first time since the announcement of India-EU FTA. As one of India’s leading trading partners in Europe, what are the major takeaways you see from this visit? In a world that is increasingly unpredictable, where international tensions are rising and geopolitical relationships are constantly changing, strategic cooperation is not a luxury, but a necessity. The Netherlands is actively seeking new partnerships outside traditional alliances. One country stands out: India. For the Netherlands, India – as the world’s largest democracy and an emerging player in the Indo-Pacific – is a logical and promising partner. Rapidly growing as a partner not only in the field of business, but also in the field of security and innovation. As both our countries wish to enhance our cooperation, we have decided to enter into a strategic partnership focused on trade and investment, security, innovation and people-to-people ties. By uniting, we will be better able to ensure our earning capacity and security in the future. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement could open up even greater cooperation and strengthen supply chains at a time of global uncertainty. The strategic partnership between the Netherlands and India forms a solid foundation for jointly finding solutions to the major geopolitical challenges of our time, as by purposefully investing in this relationship both our countries are building a resilient future – based on shared interests, innovation and strategic trust. Given the global pressure to focus on semiconductor partnerships and create resilient supply chains, how do you propose to link your advanced semiconductor ecosystem with India’s semiconductor mission and manufacturing expansion? Semiconductors have become central to economic resilience and technological leadership around the world. The Netherlands has a highly advanced semiconductor ecosystem, while India brings vast engineering talent, innovation capabilities and growing manufacturing ambitions. This is a very powerful combination. We aim to create long-term innovation partnerships by connecting universities, research institutes, startups and industry on both sides. There is also a broader strategic logic. Recent global disruptions have shown the importance of diverse and reliable supply chains. India’s rise as a semiconductor hub can play a major role in building a more resilient global ecosystem, and the Netherlands has a lot to offer in that journey. The Prime Minister is expected to discuss the current situation in both West Asia and Ukraine. Are you considering any specific type of cooperation with India to mitigate the impact of these conflicts? For the Netherlands, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is the most serious security challenge facing Europe in decades. This is not only a war against Ukraine and its territorial integrity, but a direct challenge to the principles of sovereignty, international law and the rules-based international order that underpin global stability and are enshrined in the UN Charter. Its consequences extend far beyond Europe. The war in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have further intensified pressures, particularly around maritime security and global trade flows. These wars have disrupted energy markets, food supplies, shipping routes, and supply chains around the world, demonstrating how deeply interconnected today’s economies and security environments are. In this context, close cooperation between trusted partners like India is essential. Both countries have a strong interest in economic resilience, safe sea routes and stable global supply chains. We both have a strong interest in the peaceful resolution of disputes and upholding international law. Credible strategic partnerships are no longer optional; They are necessary. And the interests of the Netherlands, the EU and India clearly converge here. There is also a focus on developing defense cooperation as a key pillar of the partnership. Can we expect progress in discussions for more frequent joint naval exercises and technical cooperation, co-development and co-production of defense equipment? Will India’s relations with Russia impact these efforts? The Netherlands and India are exploring a deeper and more strategic defense partnership, particularly in the maritime, cyber and technology domains. In the coming years, cooperation is expected to become more operational and technology-driven, including greater naval engagements, maritime exchanges, cyber security cooperation and stronger industrial partnerships. In this light, earlier this month a Dutch frigate called at the port in Kochi to strengthen naval ties between India and the Netherlands. There is also a growing understanding across Europe that India is diversifying its defense partnerships and emerging as a major strategic actor in its own right. The Dutch approach is therefore pragmatic and visionary: the focus is on expanding areas where Dutch and Indian security interests increasingly converge. How does the Dutch Indo-Pacific strategy align with India’s focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation and promoting a free, open and inclusive region amid Chinese assertiveness? The Netherlands and India increasingly view the Indo-Pacific through the same lens: stability at sea is essential to prosperity on land. As trading nations, we both depend on open shipping routes, secure supply chains and respect for international maritime law. India plays an important role in the Indo-Pacific and the Netherlands sees India as a natural strategic partner in maintaining a free, open and inclusive region. That is why we are expanding cooperation in maritime security, cyber resilience, smart ports and naval engagement, including in frameworks such as the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, which the Netherlands recently joined as co-lead of the Capacity Building Pillar. Our approach is not confrontational. It is about ensuring that all countries can trade freely, connect securely and operate under clear international rules. In today’s geopolitical environment, trusted partnerships matter more than ever. That is why the new strategic partnership between our countries is so important.

New Delhi: In a stern message to Islamabad for supporting cross-border terrorism, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday referred to Operation Sindoor launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and said if “Pakistan continues to harbor terrorists and work against India, they will have to decide whether they want to be a part of geography, history or not”.Speaking at the Army Samvad program here, General Dwivedi appreciated the capabilities of the tech-savvy generation and the Army’s intention to utilize their potential.“Let me first admit that the (tech-savvy) generation is at least 10 times better than ours. They are much more adaptable. They are socially conscious, globally connected, and digitally fluent… The Indian Army is talking about 2026-27 as the year of networking and data centricity. We have started internships and we have received one lakh applications for 100 vacancies.”The Army Chief talked about the rapid change in technology and its impact on military modernisation. He said, “Today, the Army is changing so fast, modernization is happening so fast, and technology becomes obsolete within 18 months. If you have to adopt that kind of technology, how are you doing it? So, the waves of change have to be felt at every level, from a soldier to majors and major generals, to generals like me.”Teaching leadership lessons to the younger generation, General Dwivedi, who is set to retire on June 30, also shared a personal dream: He wants to open a café called ‘Aahista Zindagi’, which will serve as a retreat for the senses in the hectic pace of life.At the same event, Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan said Operation Sindoor was different from all previous conflicts as it was a kind of multi-domain operation, was largely non-contact warfare, involved new technologies like space and cyber and required a huge amount of coordination not only between the three services but also with other instrumentalities of the government and various agencies. “It was a very well-coordinated operation.…Even the scale of victory was different…Imagine something landing precisely in this room from 300 or 400 km away. This was unprecedented in our geography. So this particular operation was completely different,” he said.On the verge of retirement after more than 45 years of distinguished service, CDS General Chauhan said what he has learned in the last three and a half years is completely different from the earlier leadership. “Because, till now, it was only up to the chiefs, whereas the responsibility of the CDS is a little more than that of the service chiefs, the interaction too, is a little more. So, this is a new thing that we have learned to streamline the system, to get benefits from the system...So, will probably be able to teach new officers, who will hold senior appointments in future,” he said.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad (Image credit: x@idf)

Israeli forces killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’s military wing and one of the last senior commanders linked to planning the October 7 attacks on Israel, in a targeted airstrike in Gaza City, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).In a post on Saturday.Israel said Haddad had taken over the role after Mohammed Sinwar was killed. The forces also said, “Haddad was involved in holding a number of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity and managed Hamas’s hostage capture system by surrounding himself with hostages in an effort to prevent their elimination.”Israeli forces also said they killed two Hamas activists, Hamer Iyad Muhammad Almatuq and Khaled Muhammad Salem Joudeh, in separate operations. The IDF accused both men of infiltrating Israel during the October 7 attacks and said they had recently attempted to carry out attacks against Israeli troops operating in the area.According to the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), cited by AP, Haddad was one of Hamas’s longest-serving commanders and joined the organization during its initial founding in the 1980s.He maintained close ties to the Hamas leadership and held several senior positions, including commander of the Gaza City Brigade and other units. He was also a member of Hamas’s Military Council, one of the group’s top command bodies, which played a key role in planning the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.According to Israeli data, the October 7 attacks killed about 1,200 people in Israel, while more than 250 were taken hostage in Gaza.At least seven Palestinians, including Haddad, were killed and dozens injured in two Israeli airstrikes that targeted a residential building and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City on Friday. Israel’s military chief described the killing as an “important operation” and said the country would continue to pursue its enemies to hold them accountable.Haddad’s death joins a growing list of senior Hamas military commanders killed during the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory attacks have killed more than 72,700 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry is part of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, but is staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records that are generally considered credible by the international community.The killing comes at a time when the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, with key issues such as Hamas’ disarmament preventing progress in talks. Despite a ceasefire that took effect in October, there have been almost daily Israeli attacks on Gaza, with more than 850 people reported killed since then, according to Gaza’s health ministry.Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated violations since the ceasefire began.

What happened between Larry Wheels and Sheila? Larry Wheels reveals painful split as old prenup clip resurfaces (Image via Getty)

Kik streamer and fitness influencer Larry Wheels shocked fans this week by confirming that he and his wife, Cezla Kakovac, also known as Sheila online, have separated. The news came during a livestream with UFC cutman Brad Tate on May 15, 2026, when Tate asked why Sheila was not part of the broadcast. Larry Wheels responded directly and said the two had “parted ways.” He also shared that even after the separation, he still wanted to make sure that she was doing well financially.The moment quickly spread throughout X, where fans began talking about the couple’s relationship and Larry Wheels’ previous comments about not signing a prenuptial agreement. Many social media users linked the breakup to their first livestream from February 2026, where he said that he trusted his wife so much that she did not move forward with a prenup. Then the online conversation shifted from the breakup to money, property, and what might happen next.

Larry Wheels says relationship with Sejla Kakovac is “beyond repair” as prenup comments return online

During the livestream clip that later went viral, Brad Tate asked Larry Wheels why Sheila was missing from the stream. Larry replied:“That’s life. We broke up. It’s true. I’m good, man. I mean, we broke up, that’s all. I mean, we broke up, but I’m still happy to take care of her. So, I’ll get her something nice to make sure she’s good.”Brad Tate then took it further and asked if the relationship could still be saved. He said:“What happened?! I mean, can we… you can let the current flow between us? You must have been real… you know, I want you to fix it… why don’t you fix it? There’s nothing beyond repair. You just have to want to fix it. You just have to fix it. Is it worth fixing, or are you cool with just being you?”Larry Wheels then replied that the situation was “beyond repair”.Soon after the clip spread online, fans began reacting to X. Some users focused on Larry Wheels, saying he would continue to help Sheila financially after the separation. Others brought up her old livestream comments about not signing a prenup before marriage.On February 3, 2026, a short clip from Larry Wheels’ “Just Chatting” Kick stream also went viral. In that video, he explained that he thought about signing a prenuptial agreement earlier in the relationship but later changed his mind. He said:“The funny thing is, I brought up the issue of it (signing the prenup) a few times in the beginning, but I decided not to go ahead with it. I trust her.”Because of that earlier statement, many online users mentioned prenups when reacting to news of the breakup. Many posts raised the question whether Larry Wheels now regrets this decision. Others defended him and said that relationships sometimes break down over time. Neither Larry Wheels nor Cezla Kakovac have publicly shared much information about the separation so far.