Willing to talk to Iran, but unsure who is in charge: Trump ​

IANS | March 16, 2026 11:52 PM

New York, March 16 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is willing to talk to Iran’s leadership and that some in Iran want to talk to the US, but with the chaos after the killing of several levels of leadership, “we have no idea who they are.”​

Trump says Iran forces devastated, seeks Hormuz help

IANS | March 16, 2026 11:18 PM

Washington, March 16 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday said American forces had dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s military capabilities and called on major global economies to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route through which much of the world’s oil flows.

Balochistan's rich resources power strategic ambitions of Pakistan and its partners

IANS | March 16, 2026 9:28 PM

Quetta, March 16 (IANS) The pattern of resource extraction from Pakistan's Balochistan without meaningful participation of local residents will continue to fuel resentment, militancy, and human rights crisis, a report has highlighted. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area and holds a disproportionate share of Pakistan’s minerals, energy reserves, and strategic coastal infrastructure. However, the local residents of Balochistan have not been included in decision‑making, benefits, and basic development.

Court martials against civilians: Pakistan's military courts undermining fair trial guarantees

IANS | March 16, 2026 9:19 PM

London, March 16 (IANS) Pakistani military courts are being used for dealing with perceived threats to the security establishment. However, this action undermines fair trial guarantees and civilian judicial authority. The use of court martials against civilians after the May 9, 2023 protests and the Supreme Court’s 2025 decision to reauthorise these trials demonstrates a deeper militarisation, a report has stated.

India slams USCIRF, asks it to instead reflect on attacks on Hindu temples in US

IANS | March 16, 2026 9:03 PM

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Trashing the annual United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, India on Monday said that the US religious freedom watchdog has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India for several years by relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts.

Poll rout forces former Madhes secessionist leader in Nepal to quit politics

IANS | March 16, 2026 8:05 PM

Kathmandu, March 16 (IANS) C K Raut, Chairperson of the Madhes-centric Janamat political party, has announced that he will retire from parliamentary politics after Janamat, along with other regional parties from the southern plains, suffered heavy defeats in the recently held parliamentary elections.

India and Nordic countries discuss ways to further strengthen relations

IANS | March 16, 2026 6:09 PM

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassadors of Nordic countries on Monday discussed ways to strengthen ties, including by focusing on sectors like trade and investment, digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum, renewable energy, clean technologies, the Arctic and space.