THE HEADLINES:
- US and Israel continue coordinated attacks in several Iranian cities; 57 students killed in strike on a girls’ school in Minab city of Iran.
- Tehran retaliates with strikes on Israeli and US military targets across Gulf region.
- India calls for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions in the region; Asks its nationals in West Asian countries to remain vigilant in view of fast evolving situation.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Micron Technology’s Semiconductor plant at Sanand in Gujarat; Says, event marks a milestone in country’s journey towards technology leadership.
- Twenty-one people killed in massive explosion at firecracker manufacturing unit in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh.
- In Cricket, Jammu and Kashmir script history by clinching maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in final at Hubballi.
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The United States and Israel continue their coordinated attacks in several cities in Iran, significantly intensifying tensions in the West Asia. The strikes came amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran over a potential nuclear agreement.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed in a video message posted on a social media platform that the Washington has begun a military campaign against Iran to defend the American people and protect its core national security interests.
President Trump said, Iran’s menacing activities directly endanger the United States, its troops, bases overseas and allies throughout the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message addressed to the nation also confirmed a joint military operation, dubbed ‘Operation Lion’s Roar’, against Iran, describing the action as necessary to remove what he termed an existential threat posed by the Iranian regime.
Explosions have been reported in multiple Iranian cities including the capital Tehran. The strike took place near offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Some international news agencies have reported that Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in attacks.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported death of 57 students while 60 others were injured in an Israeli strike on an girls’ elementary school in Minab, in the Hormozgan province of southern part of the country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the attack on a girls’ school will not go unanswered.
Iran’s National Security Council has advised residents to leave the capital Tehran.
Following the attacks, Iran has shut down its airspace, and mobile phone services has been disrupted. Iraq has also closed its airspace following Israeli airstrikes on neighbouring Iran.
In retaliation, Iran has struck all Israeli and US military targets in the West Asia with missiles. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that it has targeted- Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.
In Syria, four people were killed and several others injured when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern city of Sweida.
UAE has confirmed that shrapnel falling on a residential area in Abu Dhabi resulted in the death of one person of Asian nationality. Following the attacks, Dubai airport has suspended all flight operations until further notice.
On the other hand, Israeli military has also confirmed that Iran has launched 35 ballistic missiles at Israel, since this morning. The Israeli military said, some were intercepted by air defenses while others hit open areas. Israel has banned public gatherings, shut schools and workplaces and moved hospital patients to underground facilities. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency across the country, warning the public of Iranian missile and drone attacks.
In a statement, Iran has declared that it will respond to the United States and Israel with authority and strength, asserting its right to defend itself against what it described as a military assault on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian government also called upon the United Nations and its Security Council to take what it termed immediate steps in response to what it described as a breach of international peace and security resulting from the US-Israel military action.
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India has expressed deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. The External Affairs Ministry stressed in a statement that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. It emphasised that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected.
Meanwhile, India has issued advisories for its nationals residing in West Asian countries, asking them to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care and remain vigilant in view of fast evolving situation in the region. Air India and Indigo have also suspended its flights to all destinations in the region. In view of the potential impact of the West Asia’s situation on international air operations, Airports across India, particularly major international gateways, have been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting conducted by Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
Several countries and organizations, including Russia, France, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the European Union, have reacted strongly to the ongoing conflict in the West Asia region.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Micron Technology’s state-of-the-art Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility at Sanand in Gujarat this afternoon. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said, the inauguration of the facility marks the commencement of commercial production and shipment of the first made-in-India semiconductor memory modules from the Sanand facility. He said, the event signifies a historic milestone in India’s journey toward global technology leadership.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to the semiconductor sector, noting that, so far 10 projects have been approved under the Semicon India program.
Speaking on the occasion, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, semiconductor industry is a foundational sector and that India has firmly established its presence on the global map.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi launched a nationwide campaign for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 14 years at Ajmer in Rajasthan. The campaign was formally initiated by administering the HPV vaccine to five girls. The Prime Minister also launched several development projects worth over 16 thousand crore rupees.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a transformative role in the service sector by enhancing customer experience, streamlining operations, and improving decision-making through advanced data analytics. The recently concluded India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi highlighted how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the service sector such as hospitality, healthcare, retail, banking, and logistics. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News during the Summit, Ankush, Founder of CoRover AI BharatGPT, said, his product is a purpose-led family of models, designed for different domains.
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The Election Commission has published the incomplete final voter list in West Bengal after Special Intensive Revision of electoral roll. The list has been released in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive and the Election Commission’s guidelines. As per the incomplete roll, the total number of voters stands at 7 crores, 4 lakhs 59 thousand and 284. Altogether, 63 lakhs 66 thousand 952 names have so far been removed from the state’s voter list. The concerned voter can submit claims and objections within the next 15 days.
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In Andhra Pradesh, twenty-one people were killed and 13 others were injured in a massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village of Samarlakota in Kakinada district today. More from our correspondent:
“The blast occurred around 2 pm near the Godavari canal, when 34 workers were inside. Police, fire, health, and emergency teams rushed to the site and launched rescue operations. Police have so far identified 20 of the deceased. The injured were shifted to Government General Hospital, Kakinada, where several are reported to be in critical condition.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the spot, ordered immediate medical aid, and directed relief measures for affected families. Allu Murali, Akashvani News, Vijayawada.”
The President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Home Minister have expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in social media post also announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given fifty thousand rupees.
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In Cricket, Jammu and Kashmir have created history by clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka through first innings lead in the final at Hubballi. After opting to bat, Jammu and Kashmir posted a mammoth 584 in their first innings. With the ball, the Union Territory bowled out Karnataka for 293, taking the decisive first innings lead. Jammu and Kashmir then extended the subsequent lead of 291 in the first innings to 633 in the second innings. The match ended in a draw on Day 5, with Jammu and Kashmir winning the match and ending a 67-year wait for a Ranji Trophy title.
The Vice President, Prime Minister and Home Minister congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Team on their triumph and scripting a new chapter in region’s sporting history. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced a cash reward of 2 crore rupees for the team.
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In the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan have set a target of 213 runs for Sri Lanka in a Super 8 group 2 match at Pallekele. Pakistan posted 212 for eight wickets in stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were 8 for one in 1.3 overs, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- US and Israel continue coordinated attacks in several Iranian cities; 57 students killed in strike on a girls’ school in Minab city of Iran.
- Tehran retaliates with strikes on Israeli and US military targets across Gulf region.
- India calls for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions in the region; Asks its nationals in West Asian countries to remain vigilant in view of fast evolving situation.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Micron Technology’s Semiconductor plant at Sanand in Gujarat; Says, event marks a milestone in country’s journey towards technology leadership.
- Twenty-one people killed in massive explosion at firecracker manufacturing unit in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh.
- And, in Cricket, Jammu and Kashmir script history by clinching maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in final at Hubballi.
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