World

US forces struck Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran, threatening a fragile ceasefire. CENTCOM cited self-defense, while Trump said talks with Iran could yield a “Great Deal” or renewed conflict, urging regional nations to join accords

Russia has passed a law allowing the President to deploy armed forces to protect citizens facing arrest or legal action abroad. The move follows the detention of a Russian Orthodox Church bishop in the Czech Republic, which Moscow has termed a “provocation” and demanded his release

Ebola is a serious viral disease with a high fatality rate that spreads through contact with infected body fluids. Health authorities are closely monitoring the Bundibugyo strain due to ongoing outbreaks in Africa and concerns over the absence of approved vaccines.

India handed over 134 police cabs to Sri Lanka under a grant of SLR 300 million to strengthen policing, road safety, and emergency response. The initiative reinforces ongoing bilateral cooperation and development partnership between the two countries

Microsoft is scaling back employee access to Anthropic’s Claude Code due to rising AI costs, redirecting engineers to GitHub Copilot CLI. Despite rollback, its Anthropic partnership via Azure remains intact as enterprises face surging token-based expenses from generative AI

Hajj 2026 began in Mecca with over 1.5 million pilgrims arriving despite regional tensions and a fragile Iran ceasefire. Pilgrims braved intense heat, circling the Kaaba, camping in Mina, and preparing for Arafat prayers amid global energy concerns

US President Donald Trump, in a surprise live video call during a Delhi event marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, expressed admiration for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a deadly blast targeting a shuttle train of the Jaffar Express in Quetta, Balochistan. The attack derailed three coaches and overturned two bogies, killing 27 people and injuring 131 others.

Donald Trump said US-Iran negotiations are progressing constructively but cautioned against rushing into an agreement. Trump stated the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would continue until a formal deal is reached and reiterated opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons

Marco Rubio condemned racist remarks against Indians in the US, calling such comments “stupid.” He said America remains welcoming to immigrants and clarified that ongoing US immigration reforms, including visa changes, are global measures and not specifically targeted at India

Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv, killing at least two people and damaging dozens of sites. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, marking its third deployment in the ongoing war

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed strong India-US strategic ties, highlighting cooperation on counter-terrorism, critical minerals, supply chains and emerging technologies. During talks with S. Jaishankar, Rubio described India as one of America’s most important global strategic partners

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Islamabad’s intent to host upcoming US-Iran peace talks, praising Donald Trump’s mediation efforts. Army chief Asim Munir engaged Tehran leaders, while Trump confirmed progress toward a regional agreement, including discussions on the Strait of Hormuz

A powerful explosion near Chaman Phatak railway station in Quetta injured at least 20 people, damaged a train and vehicles, and shattered nearby buildings. Authorities declared hospital emergencies, halted Jaffar Express, and placed institutions on high alert for safety

ran’s ambassador to Pakistan said “positive strides” were emerging toward a possible Iran-US peace deal following Pakistani mediation efforts. Tehran praised Pakistan’s leadership and diplomatic role, while optimism grew after Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir’s Iran visit aimed at easing regional tensions

Aboard RFA Lyme Bay near Gibraltar, British sailors await possible deployment to clear suspected Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz after conflict disrupted global shipping. The UK-France mission depends on a peace deal, while Trump pressures allies to secure regional oil routes independently

India has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan following an Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain. The WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern amid fears of regional transmission.

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Hawaii’s Big Island late Friday night, with tremors felt across the islands. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat, while the USGS said no impact was reported on Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes despite minor aftershocks.

Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California’s Orange County after a hazardous chemical incident at an aerospace plant in Garden Grove. Authorities warned that a volatile chemical tank could rupture or explode as temperatures inside it continued rising.

Residents in Mongbwalu, eastern Congo, attacked and burned a tent at an Ebola treatment centre run by Doctors Without Borders, causing panic and the escape of 18 suspected patients. This was the second such attack in a week, following another centre’s destruction in Rwampara.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to India, said negotiations with Iran have made “some progress,” raising hopes of a resolution to the two-month-long West Asia conflict. He reiterated Washington’s stance that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and must keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls.

China will launch the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission to the Tiangong space station on Sunday night, marking the first time a Hong Kong astronaut, Li Jiaying, will travel to orbit. He joins Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan.

France has banned Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his “unspeakable” behaviour towards French and European activists detained during the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

US lawmakers and immigration advocates criticised the Trump administration’s new policy requiring green card applicants to apply from their home countries. Critics warned the move could disrupt families, impact skilled workers, and hurt America’s competitiveness while triggering legal challenges against the decision