Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:35pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested seven foreign nationals one American, Matthew VanDyke, and six Ukrainians under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). They allegedly entered Myanmar illegally via Mizoram on tourist visas, training ethnic armed organisations linked to India-banned insurgent groups, supplying weapons, and assisting drone operations. A Delhi court remanded them to 11-day judicial custody. The US Embassy acknowledged awareness while declining comment; Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed contact with detainees' families. Intelligence sources reveal 14 Ukrainians entered India on tourist visas, with large drone consignments reportedly routed from Europe through India to Myanmar. Mizoram had earlier flagged its misuse as a covert transit corridor. (PC: IANS)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:30pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested one US citizen and six Ukrainians in Mizoram. Officials said the group entered restricted areas and later crossed into Myanmar. The agency alleged they were in touch with insurgent-linked groups. “They had plans to train militants and supply weapons, including drones,” sources said. The NIA is probing a possible cross-border terror network. The accused are being questioned about their movement and contacts in the region. Security agencies are also checking links with groups operating along the India-Myanmar border. Further investigation is underway to trace the full extent of the network. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:22pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
India has added two LPG tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, to secure fuel supply during rising tensions in West Asia. Government sources said the move aims to protect shipments through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Officials said India is in direct contact with Iranian authorities to ensure “guaranteed safe passage” for these vessels. The ships will help maintain LPG supply and avoid shortages if key routes face disruption. Sources described the step as a “crisis-mode” plan to keep reserves stable. The government is also monitoring ship movements closely to prevent risks during ongoing regional conflict. (PC: X)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:12pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Joe Kent, head of the US National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned over the ongoing war with Iran. He said he took the decision after “much reflection”. In his resignation letter to President Donald Trump, Kent said he could not support the war. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote. He also said Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the United States. Kent further claimed the conflict began due to “pressure” from Israel and its US lobby. His exit comes amid rising debate in the US over the war and its justification. (PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:02pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Several countries have reacted cautiously after US President Donald Trump asked allies to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz. The route is under near-blockade during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The UK said talks are ongoing but no decision has been taken yet. Germany rejected the idea, saying “this is not our war”. France supported a possible naval effort but only after the conflict eases. China called for de-escalation and warned against further tension. South Korea and Japan said they are reviewing options. The European Union also showed reluctance, saying no one is ready to risk lives in the area. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:43pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Israel has said it will continue strikes on Iran after the killing of Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian political and security figure. Israel’s envoy to India, Reuven Azhar, said there will be no de-escalation without “a change in Iran”. He said recent attacks have weakened Iran’s military strength. “Our penetration into Iran gets only deeper,” he said. Azhar added that Israel aims to stop Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. He called the threat “imminent”. He also said the campaign is a joint effort with the United States. On civilian deaths, he said Israel targets military sites but “tragic incidents” can happen. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:18pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Millions of people in Cuba lost power after the national grid collapsed. Large parts of the country, including Havana, went dark. The state power operator said electricity is being restored slowly. This is the latest in a series of major blackouts. Residents said the crisis is worsening daily life. “There is no electricity, no food, no fuel,” one person said. Another resident said people are now used to such outages. Cuba is facing fuel shortages and old infrastructure problems. The situation has led to protests in some areas, with people demanding better conditions. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:48pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Israel has shared a photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a command setting. It said he was ordering strikes on Iran’s leadership. The post came as rumours about his death spread online. Israeli officials said the claims are false. The image was shared on the Prime Minister’s official account. It said he was directing action against senior Iranian figures. Netanyahu also released videos to dismiss the rumours. In one clip, he joked, “I am dead for coffee.” Officials and fact-checkers said viral claims of AI videos are not true. They said he remains active and in charge. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:46pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
India has denied reports claiming it seized Iranian vessels and discussed an exchange deal. The government called the claims “baseless”. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “There has been no discussion of this nature.” He added the vessels mentioned are not Iranian-owned. Reports had said India seized three tankers over illegal transfers at sea. Jaiswal said India is in talks with Iran and other countries to bring back ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. Several Indian vessels remain in the region with hundreds of crew onboard. The government said safe return of these ships is the priority. (PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:36pm on 17 Mar 2026,Tuesday International
Emirates is flying near-empty planes to Dubai as travellers avoid the Gulf due to war fears. Flights from the US and Europe are the worst hit. Some planes are only 5% to 10% full. A few flights from New York and Paris carried very few passengers. One A380 had fewer than 35 people onboard. The airline said demand on inbound flights is “unsurprisingly light”. Flights leaving Dubai are more crowded as people try to leave. Emirates is offering refunds and flexible bookings. Despite low passengers, planes are carrying cargo. The airline said it will restore services when it is safe. (PC: NDTV)