India’s Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the team management to persist with young opener Abhishek Sharma for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. At the same time, Ashwin did not shy away from criticising the left-hander’s approach, saying the batter needs to better understand match situations.The 25-year-old has struggled to find rhythm in the tournament. Apart from one half-century, Abhishek has endured a difficult run with three ducks. His troubles continued in the semi-final against the England cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium, where he briefly looked aggressive before throwing away his wicket.

Abhishek began confidently by hitting two boundaries off Will Jacks in the second over. However, an attacking intent soon led to his dismissal. Jacks tossed the ball up, tempting the left-hander into a big shot. The attempt did not come off as planned, with the ball flying off the lower part of the bat before Phil Salt completed a simple catch.Notably, this marked the fourth occasion in the tenth edition of the T20 World Cup that Abhishek had fallen to spin. Earlier in the tournament, he had been dismissed by Salman Ali Agha of Pakistan, Aryan Dutt of the Netherlands and Akeal Hosein.Despite the setbacks, Ashwin believes Abhishek should still be backed for the title clash. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, the veteran spinner said the youngster has proven ability against quality bowling and should not be discarded because of a lean patch.“Abhishek Sharma has that factor. In the series against New Zealand, he was in top form. He has batted well against Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry in the past. So I wouldn’t be too fussed about Abhishek. But I would like to have a conversation with him. I would tell him, ‘Listen, there’s a plan against you.’ So don’t try hard to hit the ball,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.Ashwin also pointed out that Abhishek’s dismissal in the semi-final came from poor decision-making rather than lack of ability.“In the semi-final against England, I think it was headless batting from him. I am a big fan of his gameplay. He scored eight runs against Jacks, but he intended to score 30 runs against him. Sometimes, you have to leave the ball. Sanju Samson is going so well at the other end, so you just need to take the single and get to the other end. You will get your tee time,” he added.The former spinner further advised India’s leadership group, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, to ensure that Abhishek is not burdened with excessive pressure ahead of the final.“Abhishek is a damn good talent, but I just want to know what sort of conversations are being had with him. Is he coming under too much pressure? If you give him more pressure, then he will look to hit the ball harder. He is a fluent player who relies on timing. You have to keep him in good space, and I will continue with him,” said Ashwin.India eventually sealed their place in the final with a thrilling seven-run win over England after defending a formidable 253/7. The contest at the Wankhede turned into a run-fest, with both teams combining for nearly 500 runs in a high-scoring semi-final.

NEW DELHI: Invoking its emergency powers, the government directed oil refiners late on Thursday to increase production of cooking gas and ensure there is no shortage of LPG for domestic customers due to supply constraints arising from the ongoing military conflict in West Asia.India imports over 60% of its domestic LPG requirement, and nearly 85-90% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently disrupted, making supplies vulnerable. In 2024-25, India consumed 31.3 million tonnes of LPG, of which only 12.8 million tonnes were produced domestically.Since India has surplus oil refining capacity, officials said all public and private oil refineries have been directed to maximise production of LPG from propane and butane streams produced, recovered, fractionated or otherwise available with them. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane.The order issued by ministry of petroleum and natural gas on March 5, under powers derived from Essential Commodities Act, 1955, stated that these streams must be utilised for LPG production and supplied only to the three public sector oil marketing companies – Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum.The order also barred refiners from using the two chemicals for producing petrochemicals. “All oil refining companies shall not divert, utilise, process, crack, convert or otherwise employ propane or butane stream for the manufacture of petrochemical products or other downstream derivatives,” it stated. The additional LPG procured by OMCs is to be sold only to domestic households for cooking purposes, and any contravention will attract penal action, as per the order.Officials said the step has been taken to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply to nearly 33.1 crore active LPG consumers.Apart from ramping up domestic production, the government is scouting for LPG supplies from geographies outside the conflict zone. Officials said India recently signed an LPG import contract with the US and cargoes have started arriving. Public sector oil companies will import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG from the US Gulf Coast in 2026 – roughly 10% of the country’s annual LPG imports – in a move to diversify energy sources and bolster energy security.Officials also noted that gas companies are re-prioritising natural gas supplies to ensure that critical sectors such as automobile fuel, household kitchens, and fertiliser industries continue to receive uninterrupted supply. India currently consumes about 195 million metric standard cubic metres per day of natural gas, used as auto and kitchen fuel as well as feedstock for fertiliser, power and other industries. More than 50% of this requirement is met through imports.Since Qatar, the main supplier, has shut its LNG production facility and shipment movement through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, about 60 million metric standard cubic metres per day of supplies are currently unavailable, forcing companies to source gas from elsewhere. “A company bought a cargo (shipload of LNG) just yesterday,” an official said.

NEW DELHI: The price of domestic cooking gas cylinders has been increased from Saturday (March 7), with the cost of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder rising by Rs 60 across the country, according to sources cited by news agency ANI.With the latest revision, the price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi may increase from Rs 853 to Rs 913. In Mumbai, the rate will go up from Rs 852.50 to Rs 912.50.In Kolkata, the price will rise from Rs 879 to Rs 930, while in Chennai it will increase from Rs 868.50 to Rs 928.50. The revised rates will come into effect immediately.The hike also impacts businesses, with the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder rising by Rs 115 from the same date. As per ANI, the price of a commercial cylinder in Delhi will be increased from Rs 1,768.50 to Rs 1,883. In Mumbai, it will go up from Rs 1,720.50 to Rs 1,835. In Kolkata, the price will climb from Rs 1,875.50 to Rs 1,990, while in Chennai it will increase from Rs 1,929 to Rs 2,043.50.The revision will mark the first major change in domestic LPG prices since April 2025, when the non-subsidised rate in Delhi was Rs 853. The latest hike is expected to affect both household consumers and commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants that depend heavily on LPG for daily operations.

Government says energy supply remains comfortable

The price increase comes amid broader discussions around India’s energy supply situation, particularly as tensions in West Asia raise concerns about potential disruptions in global oil routes.Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri earlier sought to reassure consumers about the country’s energy security.“Our priority is to ensure the availability of affordable and sustainable fuel for our citizens, and we are doing it comfortably. There is no shortage of energy in India, and there is no cause of worry for our energy consumers,” Puri said in a post on X.Indian Oil Corporation also dismissed rumours circulating on social media about a shortage of petrol and diesel, calling them baseless. The company said India has adequate fuel stocks and that supply and distribution networks are functioning normally.“India has sufficient fuel stocks, and supply and distribution networks are functioning normally. IndianOil is committed to maintaining uninterrupted fuel supply across the country,” the company said in a statement on X.

India diversifying energy sources

Government sources said India currently remains in a “very comfortable position” regarding crude oil, petroleum products and LPG supplies despite concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz.According to the sources, the country has diversified its crude import basket in recent years and now sources energy from multiple geographies to reduce dependence on any single route. Russia, which accounted for only 0.2 per cent of India’s crude imports in 2022, has become a major supplier. In February, India imported around 20 per cent of its crude requirements from Russia, or roughly 1.04 million barrels per day, sources told ANI.Officials also said LPG refineries have been directed to increase production to maintain adequate supplies, while imports from the United States have begun arriving since January under a one-year contract signed by Indian public sector oil companies for around 2.2 million tonnes of LPG from the US Gulf Coast for 2026.

NEW DELHI: Aiming to reach women in distress, the National Commission for Women in coordination with state women’s commissions will hold marathon ‘Mahila Jan Sunwais’ (public hearings) across the country starting from Monday to cover 500 districts spread out in 25 states and Union Territories till March 14.Through this nationwide effort, the commission aims to address and resolve nearly 15,000 complaints registered from those areas with the NCW and the state commissions, including both walk-in grievances and registered cases, thereby providing women with timely support and strengthening institutional response mechanisms.This campaign is an extension of the National Commission’s flagship outreach programme – “NCW Aapke Dwar” wherein a 100 public hearings were held across states last year to ensure speedy resolution of complaints registered with the NCW from those areas and also took-up fresh cases on the spot.Making the announcement ahead of International Women’s Day, observed every year on March 8, NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar said that she will will lead the ‘jansunwais’ in five states that are currently without a state commission chairperson. These include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Telangana.Rahatkar will set off the campaign by steering a hearing in Jaipur on March 9. She will next visit Vadodara on March 10 followed by Bhopal on March 11, Medchal-Malkajgiri on March 12, Deoghar on March 13 and Dumka on March 14.Rahatkar said that in Delhi too the post of chairperson and members are vacant but the districts from here have not been included in the 500 districts to be covered in this week long drive as NCW is headquartered in the capital itself and a week long public hearing was held last year in Delhi dealing with around 2,000 complaints.Meanwhile, Rahatkar said that she has already written to the chief secretaries of all five states to constitute the state commissions at the earliest.The NCW chief highlighted that based on the experience gathered over the 100 public hearings held over last year it has come through that a significantly large number of cases are family disputes including domestic violence.That many women continue to suffer in the confines of their homes is well known and revealed in data trends over the years. Of all the complaints received by the commission’s complaint cell last year domestic violence and dowry harassment alone accounted for over 39% (10,846) of the 27,000 plus complaints registered under various categories of crime against women from across the country till Dec 31.Rahatkar shared that the 500 districts have been selected based on factors such as the number of complaints received and the need to reach remote and hilly areas.From jan sunwais in 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh to Manipur taking the initiative to hold five public hearings reflecting strong engagement by the State Women Commission despite challenging circumstances in the state – the next week will see NCW take the redressal system to the grassroots across regions covering states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Tripura and Nagaland.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s old political order collapsed on Friday as a Balen Shah-led wave powered Rastriya Swatantra Party to either win or establish substantial leads in at least 115 of 165 first-past-the-post (FPTP) seats, turning the parliamentary election after the Sept 2025 Gen Z uprising into a rout of the establishment.Former PMs KP Sharma Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal were staring at major upsets as results trickled in. Gagan Thapa of the Nepali Congress was trailing despite emerging as the party’s new face after ousting five-time PM Sher Bahadur Deuba to lead the organisation. Only Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda, looked set to survive from the old guard. Even there, the verdict carried a sting: his daughter, Renu Dahal, was trailing in Chitwan.With counting still under way in most FPTP seats and the 110 proportional representation seats yet to be tallied, a party or alliance needs 138 seats in the 275-member House to secure a majority. Final tallies were expected only by Saturday afternoon, but the direction of the result had already become unmistakable.The sweep in the Kathmandu Valley was just as striking. In the capital and the adjoining suburbs of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, RSP was leading in 14 of 15 seats, underlining how decisively the urban electorate had swung behind the new force.If the trend holds, Balen, 35, is set to take over as PM, capping one of the sharpest generational shifts in Nepal’s recent political history. A former rapper and structural engineer who first built his public image through music and later as Kathmandu mayor, Balen became the face of the anti-establishment anger that exploded onto Nepal’s streets last Sept.However, neither Balen nor party leader Rabi Lamichhane issued any statement, made any announcement, or posted on social media on Friday as the scale of RSP’s sweep became clear. Balen’s last public remark came after polling on Thursday, when he praised interim PM Sushila Karki and wrote: “Under your leadership, democracy has triumphed today.”The rejection of those that the Gen Z protests targeted was stark. In Jhapa-5, Oli was trailing so badly that Balen had at least four times the former’s vote tally. Madhav Kumar Nepal, another veteran of Nepal’s coalition era, was also swept aside. Prachanda appeared to have held his ground. But even that survival came wrapped in decline. Contesting yet again from a new constituency after shifting seats across elections, he looked less like a revived force than the last veteran left standing. His daughter’s struggle in Chitwan sharpened the message emerging elsewhere: old networks, family legacies and inherited political capital no longer guaranteed safety.Baburam Bhattarai, the former PM who withdrew from Gorkha-2 at the last moment, had sensed early where the mood was heading. Explaining his exit in Jan, he said he would play “an advisory role beyond party politics” and continue supporting progressive and emerging forces from outside Parliament. He also said Nepal’s democracy would remain incomplete unless it created “dignified, productive jobs at home” and moved faster on economic change. Seen against Friday’s result, his withdrawal looked like an early recognition that the ground had shifted.For many voters, Balen’s rise captured a double break — from the traditional parties and their political style. Born in Kathmandu, he grew up in a lower middle-class household; his father, Ram Narayan Shah, was a govt ayurveda practitioner and his mother, Dhruvadevi Shah, a homemaker. He studied civil engineering at Himalayan WhiteHouse International College in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, and later received an MTech in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India. Balen first entered national consciousness as a rapper whose songs took aim at corruption, political stagnation and inherited power. By this election he had acquired a rockstar-like popularity whose voice drowned everything and everyone else.

The United States has said its decision to grant India a temporary waiver to purchase certain Russian oil supplies is a short-term move aimed at stabilising global crude prices amid supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.US energy secretary Chris Wright said the measure is intended to quickly bring oil stored in floating reserves into the global market and ease immediate supply constraints.Speaking to ABC News Live, Wright said large volumes of Russian crude are currently stored in tankers around southern Asia and that Washington had encouraged India to buy these cargoes.“We need to get oil on the market in the short term. In the long term, supplies are abundant. There’s no worry there,” Wright said, adding that the temporary step was necessary as oil prices were rising due to constraints in shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.“As oil gets bid up a little bit because of those constraints coming out of the Straits of Hormuz, we’re taking a short-term action to say all this floating Russian oil storage that’s around southern Asia,” he said.Wright said the US had asked India to absorb those cargoes. “We’ve reached out to our friends in India and said, ‘Buy that oil. Bring it into your refineries.’ That pulls stored oil immediately into Indian refineries and releases the pressure on other refineries around the world,” he added.He stressed that the waiver does not represent a shift in Washington’s stance toward Moscow. “This is no change in policy towards Russia. This is a very brief change in policy just to keep oil prices down a little bit better than we could otherwise,” Wright said.Earlier in the day, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil cargoes stranded at sea.“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the treasury department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” Bessent said in a post on X.

Indian refiners step up purchases

Following the waiver, Indian refiners have begun purchasing large volumes of Russian oil floating in Asian waters, reported news agency PTI, citing sources.The companies have snapped up around 20 million barrels of crude, mostly from non-sanctioned entities, though they are seeking legal clarity on whether the exemption also allows purchases from sanctioned firms.The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a licence permitting the delivery and offloading of Russian crude loaded on vessels before March 5, 2026, with transactions allowed until April 4, 2026.The move comes as the widening West Asia conflict disrupts energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 40–50 per cent of India’s crude imports typically pass.India, which holds reserves covering roughly 25 days of crude demand, has turned to Russian cargoes at sea to ensure domestic fuel supplies remain stable. Indian refiners had already been importing about one million barrels of Russian oil per day in recent months.Industry estimates cited by PTI suggest around 15 million barrels of Russian crude are currently floating in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, while additional cargoes are waiting near Singapore and other routes that could reach Indian ports within weeks.Analysts say the waiver provides short-term relief for India’s energy security, though competition from other buyers, particularly China, may limit the volume of additional Russian oil available.

India’s win over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 drew praise from former captain Kapil Dev, who singled out Jasprit Bumrah for his spell under pressure and called him the number one bowler in the world.India beat England in the semi-final in Mumbai to reach the final of the tournament. They will face New Zealand for the title on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Kapil Dev hailed Bumrah’s performance in the match and said the pacer deserves respect for the way he delivers in crucial situations. He also praised wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for scoring back-to-back fifties in the tournament.Bumrah returned figures of 1 for 33 in four overs. While other Indian bowlers were attacked by England batters, Bumrah maintained control during his spell.“It was a victory for the game of cricket. I think he (Jasprit Bumrah) is the number one bowler in the world. The way he performs under pressure, he deserves to get respect. Sanju Samson played wonderful cricket in the last two games. The final match is remaining. Yes, individuals are important, but when a team plays, you witness victory,” Kapil Dev told the reporters, as cited by news agency ANI.India had earlier posted 253 for 7 after being asked to bat first. Samson led the scoring with 89 off 42 balls. England stayed in the chase for most of the match through Jacob Bethell’s century.The turning point came in the 18th over when Bumrah conceded only six runs. England needed 45 runs from the final three overs at the start of that over.Kapil Dev also praised the Indian team for the way they handled the semi-final.“It felt very good. I didn’t think the semifinal would be so difficult when [teams recently] have been scoring over 250, and after that, such excellent cricket was played. The Indian team won, and my congratulations to them. It was a lot of fun. And that fun didn’t just come from the bowlers’ side, but from the batsmen’s side as well,” Kapil Dev added.India now have a chance to achieve several milestones in the final against New Zealand. They are aiming to become the first host team to win the T20 World Cup, the first team to defend the title and the first side to win the tournament three times.India secured their place in the final after beating England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Abhinav Bindra, Mithali Raj, PR Sreejesh

The eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards will take place in Lucknow on March 21, 2026, bringing together some of India’s biggest sporting icons to celebrate excellence across disciplines. The prestigious awards honour the outstanding achievements, perseverance and dedication of Indian athletes who made the nation proud during the 2025 sporting season.In this edition, the awards will recognise achievements across 49 categories — 36 sports and 13 para sports — with more than 190 nominations covering both individual and team performances. The winners will be selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport. Their experience, credibility and deep understanding of competition ensure that the honours truly reflect excellence on the global stage.Also read: TOISA set to celebrate India’s sporting heroes; Lucknow to host 8th edition

Here’s the jury for TOISA 2025:

Abhinav Bindra — ShootingIndia’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra remains one of the country’s most celebrated athletes. He created history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning gold in the 10m air rifle event. He earlier became the first Indian shooter to claim a world title at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships. A multiple medallist at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Bindra has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award. PR Sreejesh — HockeyOne of the finest goalkeepers in modern hockey, PR Sreejesh played a key role in India’s resurgence on the global stage. He was instrumental in India winning Olympic bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics. A gold medallist at the Asian Games and silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games, Sreejesh has also been named FIH Goalkeeper of the Year three times. His achievements have been recognised with the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.Mithali Raj — CricketA trailblazer in women’s cricket, Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 10,868 runs. She amassed 7,805 runs in ODIs, the most by any woman, and led India to two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017. Mithali also became the first Indian to score 2,000 runs in T20Is and holds the record for the most ODI appearances. Her remarkable 20-year career earned her the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and recognition as Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in 2017.Devendra Jhajharia — Para AthleticsDevendra Jhajharia is among India’s greatest para-athletes and the only Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals in javelin throw, at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He also secured a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, completing a rare hat-trick of medals. Jhajharia broke the world record twice in the F46 category and became the first para-athlete to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. His honours also include the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Award.Sharath Kamal — Table TennisSharath Kamal is widely regarded as India’s greatest table tennis player. He became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games singles gold in 2006 and has since amassed a record 13 Commonwealth Games medals. A 10-time national champion, he has also won medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, and became the first Indian to win an ITTF Pro Tour title. Sharath represented India at five Olympic Games from Athens 2004 to Paris 2024 and served as Co-Chair of the ITTF Athletes’ Commission. His achievements earned him the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.Leander Paes — TennisLeander Paes is one of India’s most decorated tennis players, with 18 Grand Slam titles across men’s and mixed doubles. He won a historic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, ending India’s 44-year wait for an individual Olympic medal. Paes also holds the record for the most doubles victories in Davis Cup history and was part of the legendary Indian Express pairing with Mahesh Bhupathi. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Paes remains a towering figure in Indian sport.

The war in the Middle East entered its seventh day on Friday as the United States military released footage of what it described as multiple precision strikes on Iranian targets.In a post on X, the US central command shared a video showing American forces carrying out strikes against Iranian assets. “Iranian targets are being decimated by US forces, paving the way for continued delivery of overwhelming American military firepower,” the command said while sharing the footage.The video comes amid escalating hostilities across the region involving the United States, Israel and Iran, with missile attacks, air strikes and cross-border threats reported across the region.Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran, targeting what it described as “regime infrastructure” in a “new phase” of the war. AFP journalists in the Iranian capital reported hearing loud explosions, while Iranian media also reported heavy strikes. An Iranian official said at least 20 people were killed in US and Israeli strikes in the southern city of Shiraz, though AFP said it could not independently verify the toll.Iranian missile launches triggered air-raid alerts in Israel, with reports of multiple blasts over Tel Aviv after the Israeli military said it had detected missiles fired from Iran. “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said.The conflict has also heightened tensions across the Gulf. Residents of Dubai on Friday received phone alerts from the Emirati interior ministry warning of potential missile threats and urging people to seek shelter away from windows and open areas.Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted three drones east of Riyadh and destroyed three missiles aimed at an air base. Qatar said it had thwarted a drone attack targeting the US-run Al-Udeid air base, Washington’s largest military installation in the Middle East.Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain said Iran struck a hotel and two residential buildings in the capital Manama, revising an earlier statement that had reported damage to two hotels.The humanitarian toll is also mounting. Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam warned that “a humanitarian disaster is looming” as Israeli evacuation orders triggered large-scale displacement from Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 123 people had been killed in Israeli strikes since the country was pulled into the conflict earlier this week, including casualties from fresh strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk called for “transparent and impartial investigations” into a reported deadly strike on a school in Iran. “What we have asked for is obviously prompt, transparent and impartial investigations, which we understand has been announced by the United States of America,” he told reporters in Geneva, adding that “we need this to happen very quickly and we need to also make sure that there is accountability as well as redress for the victims”.Military fallout has also spread beyond the main combat zones. Kuwait’s defence ministry said 67 army personnel had been injured since Iran began its retaliation campaign, the highest number reported by any Gulf military so far.In Europe, British authorities arrested four men in London on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service by allegedly spying on locations and individuals linked to the city’s Jewish community. Police said one suspect was Iranian while the others held dual UK-Iranian nationality.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said sending American ground troops into Iran was not under consideration at present. “It’s a waste of time. They’ve lost everything. They’ve lost their navy. They’ve lost everything they can lose,” he told NBC in a telephone interview, dismissing comments by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi suggesting Tehran was ready for a ground invasion.In a separate development, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said three Australian military personnel were aboard a US submarine involved in sinking an Iranian navy vessel near Sri Lanka earlier this week as part of a training arrangement.Trump also signalled support for Iranian Kurdish fighters potentially launching an offensive against Tehran, saying: “I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it.”