Japan: 27 feared dead in fire in Osaka building

Three crew members are feared trapped in a Thai-flagged vessel's engine room following an Iranian strike in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack is part of an intensifying IRGC blockade, where international ships are targeted by drones if they move "even a few metres" without permission.

Two oil tankers caught fire near Iraq after being struck by an "unknown projectile," with UKMTO reporting all crew are "evacuated and safe." This follows a surge in maritime attacks amid regional conflict, drawing a sharp response from India and warnings from President Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu on Wednesday welcomed the decision made by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to implement a collective release totaling 400 million barrels of oil by the member countries, a statement by Japan's Foreign Minister said.

Secretary Hegseth underscored a shift in American military doctrine, distancing the current administration from the "endless nation-building" of previous decades. "Those days are dead," Hegseth stated. "Instead, we're winning decisively with brutal efficiency and an unbreakable will to accomplish the President's objectives."

The seventh India-Japan military exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, concluded in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, on March 8. Focusing on counter-terrorism and urban warfare, the joint training enhanced interoperability and strategic ties. The exercise culminated in a successful 48-hour validation phase, reaffirming both nations' commitment to regional security and defence cooperation.