The Press Editor

Baghdad: Shelly Kittleson, American journalist who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been released, an Iraqi official said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement that it will release American journalist Shelly Kittleson. The group said its decision came "in appreciation of the patriotic stances of the outgoing prime minister," Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, without giving more details. It added that "this initiative will not be repeated in the future." Kataib Hezbollah had not previously acknowledged that it was the one responsible for Kittleson's abduction, although both US and Iraqi officials had pointed…

Tehran: As the countdown to the US strike deadline intensifies, rare scenes of public mobilisation unfolded across Iran on Tuesday. In Ilam, thousands of residents formed long human chains in a show of defiance against US President Donald Trump's threat to target key Iranian infrastructure. The demonstration marked one of the strongest civilian responses so far to Washington's warnings. According to reports carried by the Tasnim news agency, men, women and children gathered along major roads, waving national flags and holding placards bearing images of Iranian leaders. They joined hands to create long chains aimed at symbolically protecting bridges and…

United Nations: Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route that has been blockaded by Iran. The 15-nation UN Security Council voted on the resolution proposed by Bahrain, which received 11 votes in favour, while Russia and China voted against it, and two members abstained. The resolution could not be adopted because veto-wielding permanent members Russia and China voted against the resolution. The vote came just hours before a deadline set by Donald Trump, who has warned Iran to reopen the Strait…

Tehran: As the conflict intensifies in West Asia, the Embassy of India in Iran has issued a fresh and urgent advisory asking all Indian nationals in the country to remain indoors for the next 48 hours. The embassy has cautioned citizens to avoid electric installations, military locations and upper floors of multi-storey buildings due to heightened risks. Reiterating earlier instructions, the embassy said, "In continuation of previous advisories, Indian nationals who are still in Iran must stay where they are for the next 48 hours, avoiding all electric, military installations and upper floors of multi-storey buildings, remaining indoors, and coordinating…

Washington: The White House on Tuesday denied reports that it is considering the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, amid escalating tensions in the region. The clarification came just hours after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, claiming that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran fails to reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz by the deadline set for Tuesday. 'We still have tools we haven't used yet': JD Vance The clarification also came after comments by Vice President JD Vance, who had said that US forces possess tools they "so far haven't decided to use" to enforce…