Live: Pakistan Army Chief Meets Iran Speaker Ghalibaf

US Iran War, Peace Talks LIVE Updates: The leader of Iran's joint military command threatened Wednesday to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Even so, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was "very close to over" in an interview that aired Wednesday.

Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the US is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation. Bessent called the measure the "financial equivalent" of the bombing campaign.

Mediators' efforts to extend a US-Iran ceasefire made progress as the two sides are expected to hold another round of negotiations, regional officials said. But a senior US official said Washington has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire. A Pakistani delegation arrived for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move.

Israel, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with its aerial and ground war against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after the two nations held their first direct talks in decades.

Here Are The LIVE Updates of US-Israel Iran War, Ceasefire, Peace Talks

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Greenland Shark That Lives Upto 500 Years Washes Up On Irish Beach

An ancient Greenland shark, thought to be at least 150 years old, has been found on an Irish beach in what experts call a "very rare" event. The nearly 9.5-foot carcass was found in Finisklin, County Sligo, by two locals named Hammad Chaudhry and James Winters O'Donnell, who were out for a stroll along the beach. Initially believed to be a basking shark, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) confirmed the rare find, noting it is the first recorded stranding of its kind in the Emerald Isle.

"On the evening of Saturday, April 11th, the IWDG Live Stranding hotline received a report of a two-metre dead basking shark. Photos confirmed however, that this was not a basking shark and indeed a very rare and interesting stranding," read the statement by IWDG.

The Greenland shark can have a lifespan of more than 500 years, the longest of any known vertebrate. They typically reach a length of four to six metres.

"Little is known about the elusive Greenland Shark in Ireland, native to deep and remote waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic, however they are known to reach sexual maturity around 150 years of age and give birth their pups live after a gestation period of 8 to 18 years," IWDG said, adding that the male individual in Sligo had very developed claspers, suggesting that it may have been on the brink of maturity.

Also Read | Auto Driver's Safety Message For Female Passengers Wins Hearts Online: 'Sit Without Worries'

Scientists To Study The Shark

The shark carcass is now in the possession of the Natural History Museum of Ireland (NHMI), where it will be dissected and studied by the researchers.

"Tissue samples and selected anatomical components are being preserved as part of the NHMI's scientific collections," a NHMI spokesperson told BBC.

"Subject to the condition of the skin and its suitability for preservation, the National Museum hopes to display the specimen in the future, which would allow visitors to learn more about one of the world's most mysterious shark species."

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Fresh Talks With Iran Likely In Pakistan In "Next Two Days", Says Trump

Days after the US-Iranian talks in Pakistan failed, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations could resume "over the next two days." Speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the venue is going to stay the same -- Pakistan.

"...It's more likely that we go back there," he said, adding, "Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?"

Trump said that Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal, Asim Munir, was "fantastic" and "doing a great job", which is why the US and Iran would go back to the talks in Islamabad. Earlier, Trump had told the Post that the US would not be returning to Pakistan for any future talks with Iran but later called them back with the update.

The Republican leader had hinted at a European country as a mediating country previously. When asked if it was Turkey that the US was considering as the next location for talks, Trump said, "No, somebody more central. Europe, maybe."

He criticised European allies again and complained that although they do want to help, "they just don't know how to do it".

"They're doing nothing except to have meetings. All they do is have meetings," he said. "They want to get there, but they just don't know how to do it. They're a paper tiger."

US-Iran Weekend Talks Failed In Islamabad

On Monday, Trump informed reporters that "the other side has reached out to us" and "they're eager to negotiate a deal."

US Vice President JD Vance also said Iran has moved in the direction of the US during the peace talks in Islamabad to end the war, and it was for Tehran to make the next move on taking the discussions forward.

"I wouldn't just say that things went wrong. I also think things went right. We made a lot of progress," Vance told Fox News.

"They moved in our direction, which is why I think we would say that we had some good signs, but they didn't move far enough," said the US vice president, who led the delegation comprising Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for the talks with the Iranian delegation.

The United States and Iran ended 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Islamabad on Sunday without reaching a deal, leaving the fate of the fragile, two-week ceasefire still unclear. The US delegation, led by Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had discussed how to advance a ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel's continued attacks against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but the US. has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear programme and international sanctions on Tehran.

"There was a strong hope in the middle of the talks that there would be a breakthrough and the two sides would reach an agreement. However, things changed within no time," a Pakistani government source told Reuters.

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Maharashtra Man Sexually Exploits 180 Minors, Shoots 350 Videos, Arrested

A man accused of sexually exploiting at least 180 minor girls and recording over 350 obscene videos has been arrested in Maharashtra's Amravati, in a prompt action by the police following a complaint by a BJP MP.

Mohammad Ayaz, alias Tanveer, a resident of Paratwada city, allegedly lured the girls into a "love trap," took them to Mumbai and Pune, and filmed obscene videos of them.

These videos were allegedly used to blackmail the girls and force them into prostitution. Some were widely shared online too.

The minors were systematically targeted through WhatsApp and Snapchat groups, according to a memorandum submitted by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde to Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vishal Anand.

Bonde also warned of staging protests in front of the SP's office on Wednesday morning if a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is not constituted.

Even some members of the Muslim community visited the police station to demand strict action against the accused, stressing the need to prevent the community's reputation from being tarnished.

Mohammad Ayaz had allegedly served as an office-bearer of the AIMIM earlier. In videos and photographs shared by him on his social media, he appears to be receiving a letter from the MIM's Amravati president, Haji Irfan Khan, and recording social media 'reels' at the party's rallies.

However, several such videos have been deleted from his Instagram account after the case came to light.

Acting swiftly in the case, the police arrested Ayaz and produced him before a court today. He has been remanded to police custody for seven days. The police have also seized his mobile phone. According to sources, the device contains several objectionable videos.

The police are now investigating whether the accused shared those videos with his friends or a criminal syndicate. With help from Cyber Cell, the videos that were shared online are also being probed.

(inputs by Shubham Baiskar)

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US May Be Eyeing Strait Of Malacca After Hormuz. Why It Matters To India

As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, where the US is intensifying pressure on Iranian-linked maritime activity, a parallel development in Southeast Asia is drawing attention. A fresh defence arrangement between the United States and Indonesia has triggered speculation that the US' focus may be widening toward the Strait of Malacca, which is another critical artery of global trade.

The agreement, finalised earlier this week, gives US military aircraft expanded operational access to Indonesia's airspace. Although it is officially framed as a step toward deeper defence cooperation, it could also enhance Washington's surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, which links the Indian Ocean with East Asia.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore collectively manage this passage, which facilitates a significant portion of global trade transit. However, the timing of the deal has raised questions about whether the US is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East.

Malacca's Strategic Weight In Global Trade

Unlike Hormuz, which is central to global oil shipments, the Strait of Malacca serves as a broader commercial lifeline, facilitating the movement of energy supplies as well as manufactured goods, electronics and industrial components. It is significant because of the sheer volume of trade it handles, including a major share of global oil flows.

The corridor is especially crucial for East Asian economies. China, in particular, remains heavily reliant on this route for energy imports. This is a dependency long viewed in Beijing as a strategic vulnerability, often referred to as the "Malacca Dilemma".

Despite comparatively lower direct economic dependence, the United States views the strait through a strategic and military lens. Its narrow width at key points makes it both a potential bottleneck and a leverage point in any future conflict scenario.

India's Geographic Advantage And Growing Role

The evolving dynamics around the Malacca Strait also place India in a position of relevance. Located close to the western approaches of the strait, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide New Delhi with a natural vantage point over maritime traffic moving through the region.

India's military infrastructure, including its southernmost air station at Campbell Bay, enables monitoring of key sea lanes. Moreover, ongoing infrastructure initiatives in the region will further bolster India's maritime capabilities, strengthening its presence near one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

This geographic proximity could contribute to a cooperation between the US and India, particularly in the context of balancing China's influence in the region.

Complex Regional Dynamics Could Challenge US Plans

Any expanded US role in the Strait of Malacca, however, would have to navigate a complex regional landscape. Indonesia and Malaysia share control over the strait, which has longstanding sensitivities regarding sovereignty and maritime boundaries.

Singapore, while controlling a smaller part of the strait, remains central to its commercial ecosystem due to its advanced port infrastructure and dominance in global shipping services, including bunkering operations. The maritime sector is a key pillar of its economy, making stability in regional shipping routes critical for it.

Recent global debates over maritime tolls and restrictions have also heightened concerns in Southeast Asia. Against this backdrop, Washington's evolving posture suggests a broader effort to secure multiple strategic corridors simultaneously.

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India Gets Iranian Oil For First Time In 7 Years: Report

Two very large crude carriers loaded with Iranian oil have reached Indian ports, ship tracking data from LSEG shows, as local refiners utilise a temporary waiver granted by the United States last month to resume purchases from Tehran for the first time in seven years.

The current waiver is due to expire on April 19.

The Iran-flagged Felicity has reached Sikka Port in western India, while the Curacao-flagged Jaya is at the eastern port of Odisha, the data shows.

A VLCC carries 2 million barrels of oil.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not received a cargo from Iran since May 2019 after coming under U.S. pressure not to buy the country's crude.

Indian Oil Corp, the country's top refiner, has bought Iranian oil loaded on the Jaya, a vessel under U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported last week.

India has also allowed Reliance Industries Ltd, the operator of the world's biggest refining complex, to buy Iranian oil loaded on the Comoros-flagged aframax Kaviz, Curacao-flagged VLCC Lenore and Iran-flagged VLCCs Felicity and Hedy, all of which are more than 20 years old and are also under U.S. sanctions.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BCCI Begins Investigation Into RR Manager Romi Bhinder Using Phone In Match

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated a formal investigation into Rajasthan Royals (RR) team manager Romi Bhinder, who was spotted using a mobile phone in the dugout during the side's IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Guwahati. The incident, captured live by TV cameras at the ACA Stadium, showed Bhinder using a device while seated next to teenage left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was looking at the screen. The footage has since gone viral and raised questions regarding a breach of the league's strict anti-corruption protocols.

According to the IPL's Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) regulations, a team manager may use a phone in the dressing room area but 'NOT' in the dugout. Saikia confirmed to IANS on Sunday that the BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is currently verifying the details of the incident and has begun its probing exercise.

"As per the PMOA regulations, certain individuals like the team manager are allowed to carry phones, and Romi Bhinder, as the manager of Rajasthan Royals, can carry one. But we need to thoroughly examine which area the phone was taken into and whether due permission was sought.

"By doing that, whether he has violated any protocol or regulation under our existing IPL rules and regulations is being verified, and as I speak, we have already started the process.

"The Anti-Corruption Unit has begun the exercise to see whether he took the mobile phone into the designated area or beyond that. After examining the various pieces of evidence and following due process, they will submit a report based on their findings," said Saikia.

As per the tournament rules, two BCCI Anti-Corruption Managers, appointed by the head of the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), are responsible for the management of the PMOA. Their responsibility is to ensure that proper arrangements are in place and that security personnel are fully briefed.

With RR set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, it remains to be seen whether Bhinder is spotted in the PMOA area again. Bhinder has been an integral member of RR's backroom staff since 2008 and also serves as Sooryavanshi's 'local guardian' during the IPL.

"The phone is to be used only in case of an emergency. On seeing that screengrab, it looks like he may have been watching something, using Google, or perhaps checking a social media platform like WhatsApp or Instagram.

"The only thing is that the Anti-Corruption Unit could retrieve the entire data from the device he was using during that period for a thorough investigation and even question the player about what he was exactly looking at on the device.

"If Bhinder is found not to have done anything suspicious by the ACU officials and the match referee in Guwahati, then he could be let off with a warning, or a fine of 10-20 percent may be levied on the franchise," said a source aware of PMOA and ACU workings to IANS.

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