Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised to women after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed in Parliament. In his address, he blamed opposition parties for blocking the bill. He called it a “foeticide of women’s rights” and said women suffered due to politics. Modi named Congress, TMC, DMK and others. He said their actions hurt women’s dignity. The bill aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats and fast-track reservation. It did not get enough votes to pass. Modi said the government will try again. He added that women across the country will remember this moment. The opposition said the bill had serious concerns.

Ships reported attacks after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again. A tanker and a container ship said they were targeted near the Oman coast. Iran said it will control the strait until the war ends. It also called the US blockade a ceasefire breach. The strait was briefly opened but shut again, adding confusion. US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran are ongoing but warned the US “won’t be blackmailed”. The waterway is vital for global oil trade. Meanwhile, France said a soldier was killed in Lebanon during a peace mission. Hezbollah denied any role in the attack. 

At least 3 commercial ships were attacked after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again. Iranian gunboats fired at vessels trying to cross. One ship was damaged, but no injuries were reported. The strait had briefly reopened earlier in the day before being shut again. The move comes as tensions with the United States remain high. US President Donald Trump said Iran was “a little cute” but warned it cannot pressure the US. Talks between both sides are ongoing. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global oil trade.

US President Donald Trump criticised Iran over threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. He said the US will not be blackmailed. “They got a little cute… they can’t blackmail us,” Trump said. He claimed Iran tried to pressure Washington during ongoing talks. He added that a decision on a possible deal could come soon. Despite strong words, both sides are still negotiating. Trump also questioned Iran’s military strength and leadership. Tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. Talks continue, but key issues remain unresolved between the two sides. (PC: AP)

2 merchant ships, including an Indian-flagged tanker, came under gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Maritime sources said Iranian gunboats opened fire as the vessels tried to pass. Both ships turned back, and no injuries were reported. Iran said it has restored strict control over the strait and warned that no ship can cross without approval. The move comes as tensions rise with the United States over blockades. Officials also confirmed some ships heard radio messages declaring the route closed. The Strait of Hormuz handles a large share of global oil, raising fears of supply disruptions worldwide.

Tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said it would close the key shipping route in response to the US blockade. A tanker reported being fired upon by two Iranian gunboats, according to UK maritime officials. Iran’s foreign minister earlier said the strait would remain open during the ceasefire, creating confusion. US President Donald Trump claimed the route is open and Iran has agreed to terms, including removing enriched uranium. Tehran denied this. Ship tracking data showed some vessels still moving through the strait, even as uncertainty and risk in the region continue to grow.

A report by UN Women states that over 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025, including 22,000 women and 16,000 girls, averaging at least 47 deaths daily. The findings, detailed in The Cost of the War in Gaza on Women and Girls, prompted calls for a full ceasefire and accountability for violations of international law, including actions attributed to Israel Defense Forces. Despite a ceasefire since October 2025 in the Gaza Strip, violence persists, with over 750 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers reported killed amid ongoing accusations of truce violations. (PC: X)

Iran’s “mosquito fleet” refers to swarms of small, fast attack boats used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to control the Strait of Hormuz. Designed for asymmetric warfare, these nimble vessels often modified with machine guns or rockets can reach speeds up to 100 knots and execute hit-and-run attacks. Hidden in coastal caves and deployed within minutes, they are difficult to detect and target. Despite US-Israel strikes damaging part of the fleet, hundreds remain operational. Combined with drones and missiles, they pose a persistent threat to commercial shipping, reinforcing Iran’s ability to disrupt one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints. (PC: X)

A report by The Atlantic claims Kash Patel is increasingly anxious about losing his role, citing alleged erratic behaviour and excessive drinking. Officials described concerns over intoxication, missed meetings, and unexplained absences, calling his conduct a potential “national-security vulnerability.” In one incident, Patel reportedly panicked and told aides he had been fired after failing to log into an internal system, later attributed to a technical glitch. Some within the administration are said to be discussing replacements, though the White House has defended his tenure, crediting him with reduced crime rates. Patel’s leadership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation remains under scrutiny. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, reversing its brief reopening and accusing the United States of violating a ceasefire. Tehran said transit would remain blocked while a US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues. Donald Trump reiterated that the blockade will stay until a broader deal, including nuclear terms, is reached. Fresh US-Iran talks are expected in Islamabad. The strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil, had seen prices fall briefly on reopening, but renewed curbs threaten supply again. Vessel movement remains limited to Iran-approved routes, underscoring Tehran’s leverage and prolonging uncertainty in global energy markets. (PC: X)