Members of Odisha Transgenders Association stage a demonstration demanding withdrawal of the Centre’s proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill (PTI)

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to give a precise definition of the term “transgender” and exclude “different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities” from the ambit of the proposed law.Before the bill was passed, the House rejected amendments moved by opposition members by a voice vote.The bill underlines that a transgender person “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities.”“The intent, object and purpose of the Act is and was to protect a specified class of persons socially and culturally known as transgender people who face societal discrimination of an extreme and oppressive nature.The purpose was and is not to protect each and every class of persons with various gender identities, self-perceived sex/gender identities or gender fluidities,” the bill sajd.It noted that it is imperative to give a precise definition for proper and definitive identification and protection of transgender persons, to whom the benefits of the present law must reach.The bill said that over the course of time, during the implementation of the transgender protection law, “certain doubts and difficulties have arisen and are likely to arise” regarding the “expanse of the definition” of transpersons.It inserts a new sub-clause to define a transperson as one having socio-cultural identities as ‘kinner’, ‘hijra’, ‘aravani’ and ‘jogta’, or eunuch, or a person with intersex variations or a person who, at birth, has a congenital variation in one or more sex characteristics as compared to male or female.It also contains provisions for “designation of an authority”, which will have the option to seek “expert advice” if required.A new clause defines “authority” as a medical board headed by a chief medical officer or a deputy chief medical officer appointed by the central government, state government or a Union territory administration.The bill also proposed to create specific offences with graded punishments that reflect the gravity of the harm, the irreversibility of the injury, and the particular vulnerability of child victims.Replying to the debate, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar said the proposed legislation aims to provide protection only to those who face boycott due to biological issues.He said the amendment will ensure that transgender persons continue to get legal recognition and protection.Kumar also said while the 2019 law had a provision for a maximum of two years of imprisonment, the amendment bill provides for a maximum of 14 years in jail with a penalty.Opposition members criticised the proposed legislation, saying it takes away the right to self-determination of identity and should be sent to a standing committee for wider consultations.Participating in the debate, Congress MP Jyothimani said the bill has been brought without consultations from transgender people and shows the government’s “callous” attitude.She said leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi have listened to transgender people and deeply understand what they feel.Jyothimani asserted that this bill is not a reform.A Supreme Court judgement has recognised that gender identity is a matter of self determination, she said.

Iran has hardened its negotiating stance amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Senior officials in Tehran have signalled that any move towards peace talks would hinge on sweeping concessions from Washington. The demands are likely to be unacceptable to US President Donald Trump, Reuters reported, citing three senior Iranian sources.At the core of Tehran’s position is a firm insistence that any negotiations must first end the war, while also securing guarantees against future military action, compensation for wartime losses, and formal control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.Iran has also drawn a clear red line around its ballistic missile programme, refusing to discuss any limitations — a position that has remained unchanged even as backchannel diplomacy intensifies.Despite Trump’s claim on Monday that Washington had held “very, very strong talks” with Tehran more than three weeks into the conflict, Iranian officials have publicly denied any direct engagement. Instead, the three sources said Iran has only held preliminary discussions with intermediaries including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt to assess whether conditions exist for meaningful negotiations.A European official corroborated that no direct talks have taken place, noting that Egypt, Pakistan and Gulf states have been relaying messages between the two sides. Separate sources in Pakistan indicated that direct negotiations to end the war could potentially be hosted in Islamabad later this week.If talks do materialise, Iran is expected to send Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, although the final decision-making authority would rest with the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose influence has grown significantly since the conflict began.Israeli officials, however, remain sceptical about the prospects of a breakthrough. Three senior figures said they doubt Tehran would agree to US demands, which they believe would include curbs on both its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes — conditions Iran views as existential threats to its security.Iran’s negotiating posture is closely tied to its military strategy. Its deployment of ballistic missiles and its ability to threaten closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows — have been among its most effective responses to US-Israeli strikes. Analysts say relinquishing these capabilities would leave Iran vulnerable to future attacks.Trust deficits are also shaping Tehran’s approach. Iranian strategists remain wary after coming under attack following an earlier agreement last year, even as negotiations were ongoing. Continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza after ceasefires have further deepened scepticism about the durability of any potential deal.Domestic dynamics within Iran are adding another layer of complexity. The growing clout of the Revolutionary Guards, uncertainty surrounding the leadership of newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei — who has yet to make a public appearance — and a strong internal narrative of wartime resilience are all constraining Tehran’s room for compromise.Meanwhile, the conflict continues to widen. Israel’s Defence Minister said on Tuesday that its military intends to control southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, underscoring the escalating regional stakes even as diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction.

NEW DELHI: The United States sees India as central to maintaining a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday, outlining a roadmap for deeper defence and strategic ties amid shifting global dynamics.Addressing an event at the Ananta Centre, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby said India’s role is indispensable for regional peace and stability, particularly at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over China’s growing military assertiveness.“The United States believes that India will play a central role in ensuring a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, a strong, confident India is not only good for the Indian people. It is good for Americans as well,” he said.Colby emphasised that the India-US partnership is anchored in shared strategic interests, even if differences persist.“First, the United States and India do not need to agree on everything to cooperate effectively. What matters is that our interests and objectives increasingly converge on the most fundamental issues,” he said.“Differences and even disputes are fully compatible with deepening alignment and cooperation on strategic matters. The roots of our partnership are deeper than optics and more durable than superficial comity; they are, rather, thickly embedded in lasting strategic mutual self-interest,” he added.Highlighting common goals, Colby said both nations benefit from an Indo-Pacific where no single power dominates, alongside open trade and national autonomy.On defence cooperation, he stressed the need to prioritise tangible capabilities.“In this light, one of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the steady expansion of defence cooperation between the United States and India”.Quoting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Colby said bilateral defence ties have never been stronger, with growing momentum in industrial and technology collaboration. He also referred to the ‘Major Defence Partnership’ framework finalised in October.“Our goals should be practical: to ensure that our forces can operate effectively together when our interests align, and in any case to see that India possesses the capabilities necessary to defend its sovereignty and contribute to a favourable regional balance of power,” he said.He added that the US is committed to expanding cooperation in areas such as long-range precision fires, resilient logistics, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare and advanced technologies.Colby also underlined the importance of co-production and co-development of defence equipment, while acknowledging challenges including regulatory barriers and procurement differences.“But they are not insurmountable and we should overcome them,” he said.He noted that while Washington aims to boost military sales to India, it also supports New Delhi’s push for a stronger domestic defence industry.“A strong domestic industrial base enhances sovereignty and resilience. The United States supports that objective. And India is well on its way,” he said.“India already boasts an impressive defence industrial base and India’s leadership in cutting-edge technologies only further helps broaden our defence cooperation.”Colby reiterated that differences between the two countries are natural and should not hinder cooperation.“Strong partnerships benefit from honesty, respect, and strategic clarity. The truth is that the United States and India will not agree on every issue.”“Indeed, in precisely that spirit, we can say without embarrassment that India and America have not always been partners or even friendly. Our histories and strategic cultures are different, and our interests will of course at times diverge,” he said.

NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson enjoyed a stellar ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, playing a key role in India’s title triumph. After an impressive campaign, the wicketkeeper-batter now shifts focus to a new challenge — the IPL — and that too with a new team, Chennai Super Kings.Having represented Rajasthan Royals for over a decade, Samson will don CSK colours in IPL 2026 after being traded last year. The right-hander will also share the dressing room with legendary MS Dhoni.

Recently, during an exhibition match between CSK veterans and current players, Samson faced off against spin great Muttiah Muralitharan — a moment that fans found both special and emotional.With Samson at the crease, Dhoni behind the stumps, and Muralitharan bowling, the atmosphere grew electric with every delivery.Samson defended the first ball from Muralitharan, and then blocked the second as well. On the third delivery, he stepped down the track looking for a big hit but missed it completely, with Dhoni collecting the ball and nearly effecting a stumping.The near-dismissal was followed by a shared laugh between Samson and Dhoni, delighting the crowd.Samson made sure not to miss the next opportunity, as he came back strongly to smash Muralitharan for a big six.After the match, Dhoni honoured T20 World Cup winners Samson, Shivam Dube, and U-19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre during a CSK pre-season fan event at Chepauk. He presented special mementoes as part of the celebrations.India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title with a dominant 96-run win over New Zealand national cricket team in the final in Ahmedabad. It was India’s third T20 World Cup title, having previously won in 2007 and 2024.The five-time champions CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on March 30. CSK last lifted the IPL trophy in 2023 and had finished at the bottom of the points table last season.