International

Oil prices jump after US strikes on Iran, Hormuz tensions escalate

TOKYO — Oil prices climbed nearly 2% on Wednesday after the U.S. military launched airstrikes against Iran and reimposed crude sales sanctions, raising fears their fragile truce was unravelling and Middle East supplies could be disrupted again. The U.S. airstrikes were in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait […]

Sports

Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passes away at 38

NEW DELHI — Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran died on Tuesday, a ​day short of his 39th birthday, ‌after reportedly undergoing treatment for a rare severe immune system disorder at a ​New Delhi hospital. “With profound grief ​and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket ⁠Board mourns the passing of ​former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran,” […]

Politics

NC-Congress alliance in J&K playing into hands of Pakistan: BJP’s Tarun Chugh

JAMMU — BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh cautioned the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the malicious designs of the NC-Congress alliance, alleging they are playing into the hands of Pakistan. Chugh accused former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his National Conference (NC) party of advocating the reinstatement of Article 370 and seeking dialogue […]

India

India confirms Pakistan sent invitation to PM Modi for SCO meeting in October

NEW DELHI — India has received an invitation from Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in-person meeting that it will host in October this year. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing a weekly media briefing on Friday confirmed the invitation by Islamabad and noted […]

Politics

Lift ban on Jamaat-e-Islami: Mehbooba Mufti to govt

SRINAGAR — Calling democracy a “battle of ideas”, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the government on Friday to lift the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami to enable it to contest elections. She also described as “regrettable” National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah’s claim that the Jamaat-e-Islami once considered elections “haram (forbidden)” but now as “halal (permissible)”. The […]