THE HEADLINES:
- India calls for immediate de-escalation of tension in West Asia region after attack on commercial ship carrying Indian nationals off Oman coast.
- US says, Strait of Hormuz open to all vessels and American military ready to ensure freedom of navigation.
- Mortal remains of 15 Indian tourists who died in Vietnam boat tragedy brought to Ho Chi Minh City; To be transported to India at the earliest.
- Uttar Pradesh creates new benchmark in environmental conservation by planting over 35 crore saplings in a single day.
- India bag total of 16 medals including three gold at Under 23 Athletics Championships in China.
- And, in Wimbledon Tennis, Men’s Singles final between top seed Jannik Sinner and second seed Alexander Zverev underway in London.
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New Delhi has reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia region, after attack on a commercial ship GFS Galaxy carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman today. Condemning the attack, the External Affairs Ministry, said in a statement that out of 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one is reportedly missing. The Ministry said, the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation. India has thanked the Omani authorities for their support.
New Delhi has expressed concern over the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region. It also reiterated the call for conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said, the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all vessels seeking lawful passage. Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for a significant share of the world’s oil and natural gas trade. The US statement comes hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the strategic waterway until further notice. In a social media post, the CENTCOM said that US forces are positioned to ensure freedom of navigation despite what it described as Iranian aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary declarations. It asserted that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and that safe transit routes remain open. CENTCOM added that US forces have facilitated the passage of more than 800 ships and over 400 million barrels of crude oil through the waterway over the past two months.
Earlier, the United States carried out fresh airstrikes on Iran after Tehran attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it on fire and forcing its crew to abandon ship. According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted around 140 Iranian military sites, including missile, drone and communications facilities.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar and Kuwait said they intercepted the incoming projectiles, while Bahrain activated missile alerts.
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The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in yesterday’s boat capsize incident, near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam were taken to Ho Chi Minh City today. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam in a social media post informed that the mortal remains will be transported to India at the earliest after the completion of necessary formalities in Ho Chi Minh City. It added that the Embassy and the Consulate General are closely coordinating with the Vietnamese authorities, and assured all possible assistance to facilitate the early transportation of the mortal remains to India.
The Embassy also said that 16 of the 17 rescued Indian tourists are on their way back to India, while one tourist, who remains in critical condition, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Phu Quoc.
The accident occurred when a speedboat carrying 36 people, including four crew members, capsized after being hit by a sudden wave near Rut Ngoai Islet. While 21 people were rescued, 15 Indian tourists, including two women, died in the mishap.
According to the list released by the Indian Embassy, ten of the deceased were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Keralam.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has ordered a probe into the incident and directed authorities to ensure that those found responsible are held accountable.
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The 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Nagpur today under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. The 4 day meeting began on 9th of this month. The meeting ended with the unanimous adoption of the Ministerial Declaration, outlining cooperation among BRICS countries in areas including sustainable transport, logistics, transport decarbonisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, urban mobility, circular infrastructure and railway research.
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A massive tree-plantation campaign was conducted across the country today.
Uttar Pradesh created a new benchmark in environment conservation by planting 35 crore 27 lakh saplings in a single day under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign today. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the state-wide Vriksharopan Maha Yagya drive from Gorakhpur, by planting the sacred Triveni saplings comprising Neem, Peepal and Banyan near Link Expressway. He also planted a Maulshri sapling along Tal Ring Road. This is 27 lakh 89 thousand more than the government’s target of 35 crore. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated people of the state for this achievement. Governor Anandiben Patel planted a white sandalwood sapling at the Jan Bhawan premises as part of the campaign.
“A total of 29 sandalwood saplings were planted at the Nakshatra Vatika of Jan Bhawan during the programme. Officials and employees of Jan Bhawan, along with girls from the Government Girls’ Home, Sindhi Kheda, participated in the plantation drive. Many Ministers and public representatives participated in the campaign along with members of NGO, Various departments, students and general public. The campaign ran in all 18 divisions and 75 districts of the state. State also planted more than 5 Crore saplings on the World Environment Day on 5th June this year. Cumulative plantation for this year for Uttar Pradesh stands at 40 crore, 29 lakh. The plantation mega campaign was carried out through the coordination of 27 departments, the Forest Department completed the largest target of 15.50 crore saplings. With Sushil Tiwari’s report from Lucknow, Reshma Tiwari, Akashvani news.”
Home Minister Amit Shah launched a massive tree plantation drive in Gandhinagar, Gujarat which saw the planting of over 1.25 crore saplings across his Lok Sabha constituency today. Addressing the gathering, the Home Minister highlighted a long-term environmental roadmap to increase the green cover of the constituency to 20 per cent by the 2029.
“Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah planted trees at Gota Godhavi Canal, Bhadaj; Savannah Party Plot, Sarkhej, NDDB Plot, Vadaj in Ahmedabad today. Along with this, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation created a Guinness World Record by planting 3.61 lakh trees in a single hour using the Miyawaki method. More than 25 thousand volunteers enthusiastically joined this campaign held in an area of about 91 thousand square meters.In the presence of Mr. Shah, with the aim of making Ahmedabad city and the entire Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency a ‘Green Lok Sabha’, MOUs were signed with ITC India Ltd., Vishwanath Realtors, Association of Automobile Dealers and Shital Infrastructure, IFFCO, GUDA for tree plantation in the city and its conservation for three consecutive years. Mr. Shah expressed his determination to increase the greenery in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency from 11.23 percent to 20 percent. Mayur Solanki Akashvani News Ahmedabad.”
Addressing the Vriksh Mitra Programme and Paryavaran Sanrakshan Sankalp event in New Delhi today, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised that planting trees is extremely important for protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future.
Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav flagged off the plantation drive in Indore, which targets to plant 21 lakh saplings across the state.
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Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal has emphasized the need for adopting environmental friendly technology in construction sector. Speaking at the function organised on the 172nd Foundation Day of Central Public Works Department in New Delhi, the Minister stressed that while constructing any building or structure, the durability strength should not be compromised.
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The Government has refuted a fake image circulating on social media claiming that ethanol-blended petrol can cause problems in a vehicle’s fuel tank. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit has termed the claim as false. It said, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has clarified that E20 petrol supplied by oil marketing companies conforms to the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The Ministry said ethanol and petrol are completely miscible and do not separate or form layers when the fuel meets the prescribed standards.
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Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari concluded his six day visit to India today.
During the visit, the Afghan Minister met with Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. India reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s agricultural sector through cooperation in climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, sustainable irrigation practices, water harvesting, watershed development and other areas of mutual interest.
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Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who transformed the Gulf nation into a major global player in diplomacy, media and investment, has died at the age of 74.
India has declared one-day national mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect for Father Amir of Qatar. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences at the demise of Father Amir of Qatar.
External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is visiting Qatar to convey condolences on behalf of the Government of India to the State of Qatar.
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US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump passed away following brief illness. He was 71. During President Trump’s second term, Graham emerged as a key voice on US foreign policy.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani on 26th July. It will be the 136th episode of the monthly radio programme.
People can submit their ideas and suggestions for the programme through the toll-free number 1800-11-7800. They can also share their input online via the Narendra Modi App or the MyGov Open Forum. The citizens can also give a missed call on 1922 and follow the link received in SMS to directly give their suggestions to the Prime Minister. Suggestions for the upcoming episode will be accepted until the 24th of this month.
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India concluded its campaign at the Asian Under 23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, with 16 medals including three gold, four silver, and nine bronze. On the final day, India added two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal to its tally. In the men’s javelin throw, Anand Singh won the gold medal after producing a new personal best of 80.57 metres. The Indian women’s 4x400m relay team of Shravani Sangale, Sandramol Sabu, Pravalika Narimalla, and Nofisa Khatun clinched the gold medal.
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In Wimbledon Tennis, the Men’s Singles final between World Number One Jannik Sinner of Italy and second seed Alexander Zverev of Germany is underway in London.
Meanwhile, 10th-seeded Chinese pair of Guo Hanyu and France’s Kristina Mladenovic have clinched the Women’s Doubles title.
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In the historic one-off Women’s Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, England were 34 for 3 in their second innings on Day 3 when reports last came in. Earlier, India declared their second innings at 341 for 7, setting a huge target of 457 for the hosts. Yastika Bhatia became the first female Test centurion at Lord’s scoring 113 runs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- India calls for immediate de-escalation of tension in West Asia region after attack on commercial ship carrying Indian nationals off Oman coast.
- US says, Strait of Hormuz open to all vessels and American military ready to ensure freedom of navigation.
- Mortal remains of 15 Indian tourists who died in Vietnam boat tragedy brought to Ho Chi Minh City; To be transported to India at the earliest.
- Uttar Pradesh creates new benchmark in environmental conservation by planting over 35 crore saplings in a single day.
- India bag total of 16 medals including three gold at Under 23 Athletics Championships in China.
- And, in Wimbledon Tennis, Men’s Singles final between top seed Jannik Sinner and second seed Alexander Zverev underway in London.
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