NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

US President Donald Trump has given a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post, posted on the 26th of March, Mr Trump reminded Iran that it had 10 days to either “make a deal” or “open up the Hormuz Strait”. He warned Iran that it has a mere 48 hours before facing severe consequences. The US President has been repeatedly threatening to bomb Iran’s energy sites while also seeking a diplomatic arrangement to end the war. On the 26th of last month, Mr Trump claimed that he had pushed back his deadline for Tehran to strike a deal with Washington or face more attacks at Iran’s request, even though the Islamic Republic has dismissed a US proposal to end the conflict as “one-sided and unfair”.

A total of 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran amid the ongoing West Asia conflict arrived safely in Chennai yesterday evening after being evacuated through Armenia. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the fishermen were brought back as part of India’s continued efforts to ensure the safety of its nationals in the conflict-affected region. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a social media post, expressed gratitude to the Armenian government for facilitating the evacuation and thanked his counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for enabling the safe transit of Indian nationals from Iran to India amid the conflict. Armenia has been facilitating the evacuation of Indian nationals in Iran. On Thursday, the MEA said that more than 1 thousand 2 hundred Indian nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran, out of which 996 moved to Armenia.

Easter is being celebrated across the globe today. It signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday. The event marks the culmination of the Holy Week of prayers, penitence and recalling the final phase of Jesus Christ’s life.

Dr. Vaishali Ashok Bhide from Maharashtra has been conferred with the prestigious Bharat Jyoti Puraskar 2026 by the Bharat Seva Society, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of Health and Medicine, particularly in Homoeopathy. With an MD in Homoeopathy and over 17 years of dedicated service, Dr. Bhide has consistently worked toward making quality healthcare accessible to all sections of society. Her efforts have been especially focused on economically disadvantaged communities, where access to medical care remains a significant challenge. Her work reflects not only professional excellence but also a deep-rooted commitment to public welfare. Throughout her career, Dr. Bhide has exemplified compassion and a strong belief in the healing potential of homoeopathy. She has actively organized and conducted numerous charitable medical camps, reaching underserved populations across Mumbai. Her initiatives have extended to children’s homes, orphanages, and the Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Divyang Children Home in Mankhurd, ensuring that vulnerable groups receive essential healthcare services. Beyond treatment, her efforts have brought hope, dignity, and improved well-being to countless individuals who otherwise lack access to proper medical support. Her work stands as a powerful example of how medical practice can be combined with social responsibility to create meaningful change. Dr. Vaishali Ashok Bhide’s unwavering dedication to uplifting the health standards of marginalized communities embodies the true spirit of the Bharat Jyoti Puraskar. Her recognition is not only a celebration of her achievements but also an inspiration for others in the medical field to serve with empathy, integrity, and purpose.

US President Donald Trump has said that American forces will finish the job in Iran soon as core strategic objectives are nearing completion. In a televised address from White House, Trump touted the successes of the US campaign – Operation Epic Fury, saying the US is winning bigger than ever before. In his 20 minute speech, Trump said, every American can look forward to a day when they are finally free from the wickedness of Iranian aggression and the spectre of nuclear blackmail. The President promised that when the war is over, the United States will be safer, stronger, more prosperous and greater than it has ever been before. He also called on allies to build up the courage to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the US doesn’t need it.

India has sent a consignment of one thousand metric tonnes of rice to Burkina Faso as humanitarian assistance. In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this initiative is aimed at supporting food security for vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons. He added that this step reflects India’s continued commitment as a reliable developmental and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief partner to Global South countries.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Denis Manturov, arrived in New Delhi this morning. The Ministry of External Affairs said that Mr. Manturov is scheduled to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today.

We are delighted to announce that Manisha Jha from Gujarat has been honored with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, awarded by the Veyil Foundation. This distinguished recognition celebrates her exceptional contribution to Indian classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam—a discipline that demands immense dedication, precision, and artistic depth. This achievement marks a significant milestone not only in Manisha’s journey but also in the preservation and promotion of India’s rich cultural heritage. Her work exemplifies the grace and discipline required to excel in Bharatanatyam, a dance form deeply rooted in tradition and spiritual expression. Adding to this remarkable accomplishment, Manisha has also been recognized by The Kingdom World Records for her contributions to the Classical World Record Event 2025. This acknowledgment highlights the broader impact of her efforts within the classical dance community and stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to the art form. For Manisha, Bharatanatyam is far more than performance—it is a spiritual journey that harmoniously blends Bhava (expression), Raga (melody), and Tala (rhythm). Receiving a Certificate of Achievement as part of a global record for classical excellence is a moment of immense pride, reinforcing her dedication and inspiring her to further explore the depths of this timeless tradition. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Manisha’s professional role as an HR specialist reflects the same values of perseverance, discipline, and passion. She seamlessly integrates these qualities into her dance, serving as an inspiration to aspiring artists and professionals alike. Her journey stands as a powerful reminder that with dedication and passion, one can honor tradition while creating a meaningful and lasting impact.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker has accused the United States of secretly planning a ground invasion, despite appearing to pursue diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict. Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iranian forces are ready to respond if US troops enter the country, warning that they would be set on fire and pledging retaliation against regional partners. He also called for national unity, saying the conflict has reached a most critical stage. The United States Ship (USS) Tripoli, carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines, has arrived in the Middle East, said US Central Command (CENTCOM). In a related development, the Chief of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, met with Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and senior Israeli military officials in Israel to discuss the ongoing conflict with Iran and efforts to curb Tehran’s weapons production. Earlier, an Israeli military spokesperson said the IDF expects to complete strikes on all critical components of Iran’s military production within days. Meanwhile, Iran’s joint military command has declared private residences of US and Israeli officials as legitimate targets. Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the move targets military and political officials in the region, including Israel, in response to attacks on Iranian residential areas by the United States and Israel. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has also strongly condemned the US-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian universities and educational institutes, accusing both countries of attempting to suppress knowledge through violence and intimidation amid the West Asia conflict. Following this, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning that American and Israeli universities in the West Asian region could be considered legitimate targets in retaliation. In diplomatic efforts, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, and Pakistan met in Islamabad to discuss ways to de-escalate the conflict and promote regional security. The meeting came amid delays in direct US-Iran talks, but no joint statement was issued. The death toll continues to rise as over 3,000 people have been killed in the war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. More than 1,900 have died in Iran, 19 in Israel, 1,100 in Lebanon, 80 in Iraq, and 20 in the Gulf states.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the banks in the country operate under a strict legal and regulatory framework to ensure the safety and confidentiality of customers’ data. The Minister was replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today. Ms Sitharaman said, under the Know Your Customer (KYC) framework and guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, banks are required to maintain the secrecy of customer information. She informed that there are five different acts and banks have to comply with these laws. This includes the State Bank of India Act, the Banking Companies Act, the Regional Rural Banks Act, the Credit Information and Companies Act, and the Public Financial Institutions Act. The Minister said that the data is collected only on a need-to-know basis and shared with the authorities when required. Ms Sitharaman said, in cases of fraud or unauthorised data sharing, complaints can be made to the RBI or relevant authorities, which take necessary action upon receiving such complaints.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has extended condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on a desalination facility in Kuwait yesterday. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has extended condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on a desalination facility in Kuwait yesterday. In a social media post, the Embassy said that it is closely coordinating with the Kuwaiti authorities to render all possible support and assistance.

In IPL cricket, the Mumbai Indians defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in the second match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last night. Put into bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a massive total of 220 for 4 with the help of captain Ajinkya Rahane’s 67 and Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s 51 runs. In reply, the Mumbai Indians overhauled the target for the loss of four wickets in 19.1 overs, riding on Rohit Sharma’s 78 and Ryan Rickelton’s 81 runs. Mumbai Indians bowler Shardul Thakur was named Player of the Match after picking up three wickets. The two-month-long tournament will continue till 31st of May. Today, Rajasthan Royals will take on Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati at 7:30 PM.