THE HEADLINES:
- India intensifies evacuation plan for stranded nationals in Iran as conflict further escalates in West Asia; Over 350 Indians requested for evacuation.
- Dozens wounded as Iranian missile hits main hospital in Southern Israel; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran.
- India-Croatia holds wide range talks including India-EU Free Trade Agreement; Croatia reiterates its support for early deal.
- 54 Indian Institutes feature in QS World University Rankings with IIT Delhi emerging as country's top-institute.
- IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in Jharkhand Odisha and West Bengal today
- And, Velavan Senthilkumar advances to quarterfinals in Asian Squash Championships in Malaysia.
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The government is making all out effort to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals from Iran and another flight carrying members of the Indian mission is expected to arrive today. Earlier, 110 Indian students evacuated from northern Iran, arrived in New Delhi. Talking to media in New Delhi, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the government has received over 350 requests of Indian citizens in Iran for evacuation.
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Meanwhile, an Iranian missile hit the main hospital in southern Israel early today, causing extensive damage and wounding several people as the Israel-Iran conflict escalated with fresh attacks on nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure. The strike on Soroka hospital marked a significant escalation in targeting civilian medical facilities, with Israeli media showing footage of blown-out windows and heavy black smoke billowing from the medical complex. Iran's retaliation came after Israel's overnight attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, which the Israeli military claims houses components and equipment used to develop nuclear weapons. Israeli forces also reportedly attacked Iran's Arak heavy water nuclear reactor which can be used to make the core of an atom bomb. We have a report from our Dubai Correspondent:-
"Iran has launched its 14th wave of attacks on Israel this morning, firing more than 25 missiles in the latest barrage aimed at strategic targets across the country. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claims it successfully struck the Israeli army’s cyber command headquarters and an intelligence center in Gav Yam. Another missile reportedly hit a high-rise and several residential buildings near Tel Aviv. According to Israel’s national rescue service, at least 40 people were wounded in the attacks. Reports also indicate that the Israeli stock exchange building sustained damage, as the overall toll of the conflict continues to rise. Israeli authorities now confirm at least 24 fatalities from Iranian strikes so far, with one of the most serious incidents involving a direct hit on the Sorokka hospital,the most significant attack on medical infrastructure since the conflict began. This is Vinod Kumar from Akashvani News from Dubai"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge against Iran after the hospital attack. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military has been instructed to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran.
US President Donald Trump continues weighing military intervention options as the conflict threatens to expand across West Asia.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued stark warnings to Washington that any American strikes on Iranian territory would result in serious irreparable consequence raising the stakes for potential U.S. involvement in the escalating hostilities.
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Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a telephonic conversation with the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Major General Amir Baram. In a social media post, the Ministry of Defence said the two leaders discussed updates on the current situation in West Asia. The conversation comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the evolving situation in the region. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s concerns over the situation and emphasized the urgent need for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate to end the conflict between Israel and Iran. Speaking at a roundtable session on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Mr. Putin suggested that Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic programme while assuaging Israeli security concerns.
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India and Croatia have held discussion on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Croatia has reiterated its strong support for the early conclusion of the FTA, emphasising the mutual benefits it will bring to both India and the European Union. Prime Minister Modi arrived in New Delhi after his successful visits to Croatia, Canada and Cyprus. He held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at Banski Dvori in Zagreb. The leaders in the discussions also looked forward to an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA, which will give a boost to the bilateral trade and supply chain resilience.
Both leaders also agreed that the agreement would unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and technology collaboration. India appreciated Croatia’s consistent backing within the EU framework. They also underscored their shared commitment to global peace, democratic values and expanding cooperation as the two countries signed four MoUs in the fields of agriculture, cultural exchange, science & technology and the setting up of an ICCR Chair of Hindi in Zagreb.
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A record 54 Indian Institutes have been featured in the QS World University Rankings with Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Delhi emerging as the country's top-ranked Institute. IIT Delhi’s global ranking has seen a significant jump from the earlier 150th position to the current 123rd rank in the latest edition of the rankings of higher education institutions across the world. This is also the highest QS World University Ranking achieved so far by the Institute.
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Voting for by-elections to five assembly seats across four states is underway.
In Gujarat, Visavadar seat has recorded over 39 percent voter turnout, while the Kadi assembly constituency has registered around 35 percent till 1 PM. Nilambur seat in Kerala has recorded around 47 percent voter turnout and Punjab's Ludhiana assembly seat has witnessed over 33 percent. The voting percentage for the Kaliganj Assembly seat in West Bengal was over 45 percent till 1 PM.
The counting of votes for all five seats will take place on Monday.
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At least 210 victims of the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash have been identified through DNA matching so far. Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel today informed that 187 bodies have been handed over to their families so far.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted extremely heavy rainfall over Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal today. Talking to Akashvani News, IMD senior scientist RK Jenamani said that red colour warning has been issued for Jharkhand, as extremely heavy rainfall is expected to continue until tomorrow.
Life has been badly affected due to continuous rain in Jharkhand for the last two days including the state capital Ranchi. We have more from our correspondent:-
"Heavy rainfall and incessant rains have lashed several districts of Jharkhand. Water level of rivers, streams and waterfalls across the state has increased, while Kharkai and Swarnarekha rivers are flowing near to the danger mark. All schools in Ranchi, Ramgarh, Khunti, Simdega, Bokaro, Dhanbad and Saraikela Kharsawan districts have been closed for a day ahead of the warning issued by Met and State Disaster Management department. The railway administration has cancelled 20 passenger trains of Chakradharpur Railway Division, 8 express trains are running through diverted routes, while 6 trains have been short terminated. Shilpi, Akashvani News, Ranchi."
A low pressure area over southwest Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal had been reported by the IMD. Meanwhile the South West Monsoon has covered entire West Bengal. More from our correspondent.
"One or two places of the Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, Birbhum, West Medinipur, West Burdwan, East Burdwan and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal are likely to get heavy rainfall today. On the other hand, scattered rainfall in some places of the Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur districts has been forecasted by the met department. Kolkata and adjoining districts are experiencing incessant rain from morning today. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea along off the coast of West Bengal and Odisha due to rough sea condition. Kalyan Laha, Akashvani News Kolkata."
Mumbai and its surrounding districts are witnessing incessant rainfall since the last couple of days following a dry spell. The IMD has issued an orange alert for six districts across the state. More from our correspondent:
"The capital city of Mumbai is covered in thick clouds since this morning with intermittent intense spells of rain along with gusty winds. Adjoining Raigad district also is witnessing continuous rainfall since yesterday night. Key rivers including Savitri, Amba and Ulhas have flooded. Considering the situation, a holiday has been declared to all schools and colleges in Alibaug, Roha, Tala, Mahad and Poladpur tehsils. Nashik city is hit by heavy rainfall since yesterday night. The IMD has issued an orange alert to Palghar, Thane, Pune, Raigad, Satara and Ratnagiri for today, whereas Pune, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Satara have been given an orange alert for tomorrow. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai."
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In the Asian Squash Championships 2025 in Malaysia, India’s Velavan Senthilkumar advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Japan’s Tomotaka Endo in Kuching. The world No. 45 is now the only Indian remaining in the tournament after beating China’s Li Haizhen in the previous round.
Suraj Chand, Akanksha Salunkhe, and Shameena Riaz bowed out in earlier rounds, while Anahat Singh is not competing in singles but will feature in next week’s Asian Doubles Squash Championships.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- India intensifies evacuation plan for stranded nationals in Iran as conflict further escalates in West Asia; Over 350 Indians requested for evacuation.
- Dozens wounded as Iranian missile hits main hospital in Southern Israel; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran.
- India-Croatia holds wide range talks including India-EU Free Trade Agreement; Croatia reiterates its support for early deal.
- 54 Indian Institutes feature in QS World University Rankings with IIT Delhi emerging as country's top-institute.
- IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in Jharkhand Odisha and West Bengal today.
- And, Velavan Senthilkumar advances to quarterfinals in Asian Squash Championships in Malaysia.
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