China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian shared details of a phone call between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani as tensions in the Gulf region continue to rise. Posting on X, Lin Jian said both sides discussed the escalating situation, emphasizing that the immediate priority is to halt military operations to prevent the conflict from widening. He noted that progress can only be achieved by returning to dialogue and negotiations as quickly as possible to restore peace.
Lin also said China has been actively pushing for a ceasefire and peace in the region, adding that the Chinese government’s Special Envoy on Middle East affairs is currently visiting countries across the region to promote de-escalation. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement on the March 9 call, Zayani briefed Wang Yi on Bahrain’s perspective and the current regional developments. He said Bahrain values peace and believes it should not face unlawful attacks. Zayani also expressed appreciation for China’s balanced approach and said Bahrain is ready to work with Gulf countries to strengthen communication and coordination with China on bilateral and multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, to help restore regional peace and stability. He also assured that Bahrain will continue taking steps to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.
Wang Yi expressed China’s serious concern over the rapidly escalating situation in the Gulf, noting that Bahrain’s security is also being affected. He reiterated that China firmly supports respect for the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all nations and strongly condemns attacks on civilians and non military targets.
Wang Yi stressed that the most urgent step is an immediate halt to military actions to stop the conflict from spreading further. He added that the way forward lies in restarting dialogue and negotiations and ultimately returning to international law and the basic principles governing international relations.
Reaffirming China’s position, Wang Yi said that as a strategic partner of Gulf countries and a responsible global power, China has consistently supported peace and an end to hostilities. He noted that China’s special envoy on Middle East affairs is currently traveling across the region and will also visit Bahrain. The discussion highlights China’s continued diplomatic efforts to encourage de escalation in the Middle East, with Beijing actively engaging regional governments to promote peace and stability.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan and starring Varun Dhawan, has been postponed for the second time. The makers have now announced a new theatrical release date of June 12, 2026. The film was earlier scheduled for June 5, 2026, and before that, it had originally been set to release on April 10, 2026.
The change was confirmed through an official statement on Instagram on Tuesday. The team explained that the decision came after assessing recent developments and the broader industry scenario. “We would like to clarify that our film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai was initially slated for 5th June, a date announced several months ago. However, given recent developments and the prevailing situation, we felt it was more appropriate to postpone the release,” the statement read. The producers also highlighted the importance of industry solidarity. “We believe it’s healthier for filmmakers to support each other rather than compete for the same release date. With that spirit, we have moved the release to 12th June to bring our film to audiences a week later.”
Produced by Ramesh Taurani and helmed by veteran director David Dhawan, the film promises a lively mix of romance and comedy. Alongside Varun Dhawan, the lead cast includes Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, while supporting roles feature Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar.
The film’s title draws inspiration from a popular track in David Dhawan’s 1999 hit Biwi No.1, which starred Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen. Varun Dhawan was most recently seen in the romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari alongside Janhvi Kapoor. Released on October 2, the film also featured Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf, following the story of two former lovers in Delhi trying to rekindle their romance, leading to humorous misunderstandings and unexpected relationships.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from India TV.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed responsibility for a missile strike on a United States military facility in northern Iraq, according to Al Jazeera. In a statement, the IRGC’s public relations department said the attack targeted the US Army headquarters at Harir Air Base in Erbil, located in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The group stated that five missiles were fired at the site during the operation. The strike marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions. Harir Air Base is an important base used by international coalition forces, and targeting it signals a direct challenge to US military operations in the region.
Earlier on Tuesday, tensions also affected diplomatic sites when a drone strike targeted a mission of the United Arab Emirates in the Kurdish region of Iraq. The attack caused structural damage to the UAE’s consulate building, though officials reported that no casualties occurred. The incident came just hours after the UAE expressed frustration about being drawn into the conflict, stating it was being targeted unfairly despite not taking part in attacks against Iran.
Regional tensions have been rising since joint US and Israeli military actions against Iran began on February 28. In response to the drone strike, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident, calling it a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability. The ministry also stressed that attacks on diplomatic missions violate international laws and norms. However, officials did not identify who launched the drone.
On Monday, the UAE had already lodged a complaint saying it did not want to become involved in the conflict and had not participated in any operations against Iran. Amid the growing instability, Australia announced it would deploy military assets to support the UAE’s defensive capabilities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said missiles and aircraft would be sent to the region as a precaution. He explained that the move was aimed at protecting Australians in the area and assisting partners in the UAE.
As part of the deployment, Australia will send a Boeing-built E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, which is expected to operate for an initial four weeks to help monitor and safeguard airspace over Gulf countries. Albanese also confirmed that advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles would be supplied to the UAE after a discussion with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The broader conflict has now continued for more than ten days. On Monday, US President Donald Trump suggested the military campaign might soon come to an end. He said the operation was intended to eliminate threats and could help bring down oil and gas prices for American families. Later, Trump described the US military actions in Iran as a temporary operation, referring to it as a short-term mission aimed at addressing regional security concerns.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will meet senior West Bengal officials and police officers on Tuesday to review preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. He is also expected to hold a press conference amid controversy over alleged deletions in the post SIR electoral rolls.
Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, will meet Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, DGP Piyush Pandey and other officials to assess election arrangements and review coordination between the state administration and security agencies, including the deployment of central armed police forces.
The commission will also meet the chief electoral officer, the state police nodal officer and the CAPF nodal officer to evaluate logistics and security planning. It is also expected to interact with booth level officers and address the media later in the day. These meetings are part of the Election Commission three day visit to West Bengal to review poll preparedness. On Monday, the commission met representatives of political parties in Kolkata, where several parties suggested conducting the elections in one or two phases and called for strict action to prevent voter intimidation and activities of anti social elements.
During the discussions, the CEC stressed that any failure to maintain law and order ahead of the elections would not be tolerated and highlighted the need for strict monitoring to ensure free and fair polls. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Kumar of threatening state officials during a meeting with the administration and said such conduct by constitutional authorities was unacceptable. Speaking during her protest in central Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, she alleged that the chief election commissioner had used a threatening tone with the state bureaucracy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
The HAL TEJAS MK-2 is shaping up as a key part of India’s future air strategy, marking a major step in indigenous military capability. This medium-weight multi-role fighter features a redesigned airframe and a powerful GE F414-GE-INS6 engine, allowing it to carry heavier, advanced weaponry. Planned integration of long-range stand-off weapons like the SCALP-EG cruise missile and Israel’s Crystal Maze missile enables precision strikes on high-value targets while keeping the aircraft out of enemy missile range. For air-to-air combat, the fighter uses the Astra missile family and the agile British ASRAAM, ensuring versatility in all combat scenarios. Future upgrades will include indigenous systems like BrahMos-NG and Rudram anti-radiation missiles, reducing dependence on foreign hardware. With these capabilities, the TEJAS MK-2 promises stealthy deep-strike power, strong air defence, and electronic warfare resilience, making it a cornerstone of India’s modern aerial arsenal.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Livefist.
After days of uncertainty, five members of the Iranian women’s football team were officially granted protection in Australia by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke early Tuesday morning. The remaining players are still being monitored by officials as they make their way to the airport, with the possibility of returning to Iran. Women’s football journalist Samantha Lewis talks with Nour Haydar about the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensured the women could stay in Australia, the prospects for other players, and what the next steps might be.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Oil prices have jumped significantly as tensions in the Middle East intensify, with concerns over potential supply disruptions pushing crude prices up by double digits. If this upward trend persists, rising energy costs could reignite inflation and affect transportation, manufacturing, and household expenses globally. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine how various countries are stockpiling oil, diversifying their supplies, and managing the impact of higher prices, including insights from Vandana Hari, Founder of Vanda Insights.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Amid rising tensions in the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, airlines are diverting flights away from major Middle East routes that connect Asia and Europe. This shift raises the question: could new aviation hubs emerge beyond established centers like Dubai and Doha? How might this affect ticket costs, cargo transport, and the broader landscape of global air travel? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore these issues with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant and Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
