New Delhi: A crude oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz has reached Mumbai port, becoming one of the first ships to reach India through the vital route amid rising tensions in the Middle East. According to the Mumbai Port Trust, the Liberian-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax, captained by an Indian national, arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday after loading crude from Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia, ANI reported.

Officials said Iran had approved the ship to transit the strategic waterway, where shipping activity has declined sharply following conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. Sources said Iranian authorities have decided to allow Indian-flagged ships to pass safely through the strait even as maritime traffic in the area has slowed down significantly since the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Shenlong Suezmax, which departed from Ras Tanura on March 1, completed its journey to Mumbai after getting permission to pass through the narrow shipping corridor.Iran has tightened controls on shipping in the strait in recent days. Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said ships sailing through the waterways must obtain Tehran’s approval. In a post on Twitter, he said two ships that ignored Iran’s warnings were targeted on Wednesday.“Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the ships Express Rome and Mayuri Nari, who today ignored warnings, relying on empty promises, and intended to transit the strait, but were caught. Any ship that intends to pass must obtain permission from Iran,” the Iranian general said.Iranian state media have reported that Tehran has extended restrictions on shipping through the strait, while adding that ships that do not serve the interests of the United States or Israel will be allowed safe passage. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with more than 20 million barrels of crude moving through the narrow channel between Iran and Oman every day, accounting for about a fifth of global oil consumption and a quarter of seaborne oil trade.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that 28 Indian-flagged ships are currently operating in the Persian Gulf. Of these, 24 ships carrying 677 Indian sailors are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four ships carrying 101 Indian crew members are located east of the strait. The ministry said a 24-hour control room has been functioning in the ministry and the Directorate General of Shipping since February 28 to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate assistance if needed. Officials are also working with Indian embassies, ship managers and recruitment agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.

Farooq Abdullah (PTI file photo)

New Delhi: After an attempt on his life, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah reflected on the incident on Thursday, saying, “God saved me.”Sharing brief details about the tense moments at a wedding ceremony in Jammu’s Greater Kailash area, the NC chief told reporters, “I was leaving the venue when I heard the sound of firecrackers. Immediately, I was put into a car. Later, I was told that it was a man with a pistol who fired two shots. Neither do I know this man (accused), nor do I have any information about him.Farooq further said, “I don’t know what his (accused Kamal’s) intention was. To say that it was a security lapse would be a big statement. Many big personalities were present at this wedding, but there was no police present. By the grace of Allah, my security was present with me and my life was saved. I got a call (from the Union Home Minister), who asked me about my well-being and assured me that they would investigate the matter.” There should be an investigation. Now when there is an atmosphere of hatred, such things keep happening… No religion teaches hatred, it only teaches love…”He also reflected on the changed power dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, which converted the state into a Union Territory and brought law and order under the direct control of the Centre. He said, “The Center and the Union Territory government should see whether the situation here has really improved. We may have differences, but we have to work together because we are a democracy and have to express our opinions…”Talking to journalists, Farooq once again demanded restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “An elected government has no powers – how can it continue like this? We were promised that statehood would be restored…”He said, “No matter how much you increase security, the killer always has an advantage. The problem is that we live in an era where terrorism is sky high and we cannot control it.”This was Abdullah’s first reaction when Kamal Singh Jamwal, a 63-year-old man, suddenly opened fire at the wedding venue, reportedly firing two rounds targeting the former chief minister and long-time National Conference leader.The tense situation was quickly brought under control by Abdullah’s security personnel, as seen in the CCTV footage from the venue.Officials said Farooq was returning from a wedding ceremony with Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary when the incident occurred.The suspect was immediately subdued and taken into custody on the spot, leaving the leaders unharmed.Farooq Abdullah’s son and CM of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah It took to social media to report a “very close shave” during the ceremony and raised questions about a possible security lapse.Omar Abdullah said in a post on How could he get so close to the Chief Minister?

New Delhi: A complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya accusing him of disrespecting the national flag during celebrations after India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Lawyer Wajid Khan Bidkar had filed a complaint at the Shivaji Nagar police station, accusing the all-rounder of disrespecting the tricolor during the celebrations at the team ground after the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.According to the complaint, several videos of the victory celebration went viral on social media, in which Pandya is seen celebrating with the national flag draped over his shoulder. The complainant alleged that the cricketer was seen dancing during the ceremony and later lying down on the stage with the flag wrapped around him.Khan has argued that the act is disrespectful to the national flag and a violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971.Khan told ANI, “You must have seen the celebration of the T20 World Cup. Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend in celebration of their victory. The national flag was tied on his back.”He said, “As per Section 2 of the National Flag Act of 1971, we must respect the dignity of the national flag. However, Hardik Pandya was so engrossed in the celebrations that he was lying with his girlfriend wearing the national flag. I believe this is an insult to the national flag.”Khan said he initially faced questions from the police about jurisdiction after the incident took place in Ahmedabad. However, he stressed that the complaint could still be filed because the national flag represents the entire country.He said, “When I went to lodge a complaint, they told me that the incident happened there, not here. I told them that the national flag is the symbol of the entire country, and we can lodge a complaint here. They have accepted my complaint and given me a copy.”A police officer at Shivaji Nagar police station confirmed that the application had been received, but did not give further details about the possible action.This complaint comes after India’s spectacular victory over the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on Sunday. India successfully defended their T20 World Cup title by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs.This victory proved to be a historic milestone for the Indian national cricket team. The team became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first team to achieve consecutive titles after the 2024 victory, and the first country to win the trophy three times, having previously won in 2007 and 2024.

A Pauri climbs a steep, narrow, slippery track for 100 meters before reaching a remote outpost in Jakhanikhal tehsil of Garhwal district. The outpost is a dilapidated two-storey structure, its central hall serving as a common office for several patwaris-revenue sub-inspectors, who are tasked with policing the dozens of villages between them. The rusted lockup now holds old documents and body bags; The toilet has become a record room. Some broken chairs next to a bench; Faded maps hang on the walls. It has been just a few months since 27 year old Roshni Sharma posted here. “We handle both land records and police work,” says the young patwari, who has seven villages under her jurisdiction. “It makes it harder to do anything right.”

AAs West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, the ruling Trinamool Congress has launched an emotionally charged campaign focused on identity politics. At the heart of this campaign lies a powerful narrative: protecting Bengali linguistic and cultural pride amid allegations the party is a concerted effort to harass, criminalize and deport Bengali-speaking migrant workers from BJP-ruled states. TMC leaders claim that these incidents are part of a broader effort to delegitimize Bengali identity across India. The effort is also linked to the BJP’s efforts to shed a past filled with contradictory overtones that bordered on protest, on Bengalism – with a distinctly North Indian accent. The latest reactionary gesture came with the nomination of Samik Bhattacharya as state BJP chief. Despite the colorful output of the Sangh, his relatively calm personality matches better with the old Bhadralok prototype. His coronation ceremony was also saturated with Bengali religious iconography, especially the iconography of the goddess Kali.

New Delhi: Ruler NDA On Wednesday, MPs strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi As a “campaign leader” who is addicted to dynastic privilege and cannot accept equal treatment with others, he has targeted the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha over the opposition’s motion to remove the Speaker. Om Birla.“Rahul Gandhi thinks the rules are not for him, but he is the rules. A family thinks it is above the rules and procedures of the House and above the Constitution.” BJPAnurag Thakur made allegations. He compared Birla to a school principal who wants to enforce discipline, Anurag said, adding that those who do not like the principal are free to leave the school if they do not like the principal because the principal is not going anywhere.He said that in the past the comments of many MPs from the ruling party, including his, had been deleted by the Speaker. Rahul suffers from “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and makes all sorts of allegations to remain in the news, he said, condemning him as a “leader of publicity”.BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this proposal has been brought to satisfy someone’s ego, targeted Rahul and said that PM Modi can never be compromised. The LoP should measure its words carefully, especially on national security issues, he said.“I blame the opposition, especially the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, for having chauvinistic views and turning this Parliament into anarchy,” he said.TDP MP Krishna Prasad Teneti praised Birla for his conduct as president and said attempts to “damage” the institution’s reputation in the name of political dissent were dangerous. He said, “I am not defending any individual; I am defending the integrity of this House. The authority of the Speaker is not an individual prerogative. It is an institutional necessity.”BJP’s Tejasvi Surya alleged that the Gandhi family is unable to accept equal treatment before the law. “People accustomed to dynastic privilege often mistake even equal treatment for injustice,” he said, claiming that its members consider themselves kings who can do no wrong.AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, who is not affiliated with any faction, accused the government of trying to dominate the legislature, but also criticized the opposition parties for ignoring representatives of smaller parties like him. Owaisi said, he is accused of being the ‘B team’ of BJP.

FOr among the old residents of Rehra Mafi village on the outskirts of Utraula town in Balrampur district, the old images of Jamaluddin – now known as Chhangur Baba – are still vivid. A thin, dark man from the Pankhiya Muslim community, with six fingers on his right hand (hence his nickname Chhangur), cycles between villages, selling goods and rings. Once elected Pradhan, he is remembered for bridging the Yadav-Muslim divide. However, on July 5, after a search operation, when the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested the 70-year-old man along with an associate, Neetu alias Nasreen, in Lucknow, they described him as the head of a wide and organized illegal conversion racket with wide reach across the state. In fact, Chhangur had long ago traded his bicycle for a Toyota Fortuner, lived with armed guards and owned several properties. According to the ATS, his operations allegedly included fake identities, foreign funding, document forgery and multiple aliases. Several serious charges have been leveled against him and his associates – including conspiracy to wage war against the state, promoting religious enmity, cheating and violating sections of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Police said earlier arrests (on April 8) included Mumbai native Naveen Rohra (Neetu’s husband), known as Jamaluddin after converting to Islam, and Chhangur’s son Mehboob.