The United States has closed or scaled down operations at embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar as tensions with Iran escalate. Non-essential staff have been withdrawn, and American citizens in the region have been advised to stay alert.

Three Indian seafarers were killed while serving on foreign-flagged vessels during recent attacks in the Persian Gulf region, officials said. The incidents occurred amid rising tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel, disrupting key international shipping routes.

The government is exploring a plan to clear cargo within 24 hours for compliant importers, reducing current delays of 3–5 days, and supporting traders affected by disruptions in international shipping and trade.

The NIA has sought assistance from Chinese authorities to trace a GoPro camera linked to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. A special court allowed a formal request to identify the device’s buyer and supply details.              

Mohammad Raad, a senior figure in Hezbollah, has reportedly been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Israeli sources said he was targeted during heavy bombardment, though official confirmation from Hezbollah is still awaited.

Varanasi has set a Guinness World Record after volunteers planted 2.51 lakh saplings in just one hour, marking one of the largest and fastest tree‑planting efforts in a single event.

A video shared by Ajit Pawar’s son, Jai Pawar shows Rohit Singh, owner of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, allegedly asleep in the cockpit before the plane crash, triggering questions over aviation safety and operational oversight.

US President Donald Trump said initial US strikes on Iran have been effective, but a more intense phase is still ahead, with several Arab nations reportedly seeking to join the fight.

Schools and colleges in Kashmir remain closed for two days, and mobile internet speeds are restricted following protests over the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as security forces monitor the region.

Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu described a “terrifying” experience near Dubai International Airport after an explosion close by. She said the last few hours were extremely stressful as flights were disrupted and people waited anxiously for safety updates.