India’s seafarers have emerged as the worst-hit nationality during the Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis despite making up only around 12% of the global maritime workforce. According to an NDTV Datafy analysis, Indians accounted for seven of the 16 seafarers killed in attacks on commercial vessels between March 1 and July 14, 2026, representing nearly 44% of the fatalities. The figures highlight the disproportionate risks faced by Indian crew members amid escalating maritime insecurity in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. Beyond conflict zones, Indian seafarers also remained the most affected by shipowner abandonment in 2025, accounting for 18% of all abandoned seafarers worldwide for the second consecutive year. (PC: ABC News)

Bangladesh-born author Taslima Nasrin will return to Kolkata on August 1 for the first time in nearly two decades to attend an event against religious fundamentalism at Rabindra Sadan. Organised by Secular Mission, Human Rights and Bangladesh Freedom Fighters' Foundation (HRBFF), and Poschimbongyer Jonnyo, the programme will feature poetry recitals, discussions on free thought, and a civic reception. Nasrin left Kolkata in 2007 after violent protests over her writings, including Dwikhandito. Organisers said the West Bengal government assured her security for the visit. Her return has reignited political debate, while organisers insist the event aims to promote free thought and oppose religious fundamentalism. (PC: Bizz Buzz)

An Indian man, identified as Sohail, was allegedly stabbed around 15 times at a shopping mall in Utah in what authorities are investigating as a religion-based hate crime. Police said the accused, 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, allegedly admitted targeting Muslims after Sohail told him, "I'm from India... I'm Muslim." Sohail underwent multiple surgeries and remains in critical condition. Bystanders overpowered the suspect before police arrived. Friends said Sohail, the sole earning member of his family, has no medical insurance, prompting a GoFundMe fundraiser. Larsen was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct as investigators continue probing the alleged hate-crime motive. (PC: NDTV)

A legal battle is underway in the UK High Court after Peterborough City Council sold the site housing the 40-year-old Bharat Hindu Samaj Temple to the Khadijah Mosque, part of the United Kingdom Islamic Mission. The temple, established in 1986 by Indian families expelled from Uganda, serves nearly 14,000 Hindus across eastern England. Trustees claim their £1.3 million bid to buy the property was overlooked and have challenged the council’s decision as unlawful. The council says the sale followed a fair process. The court’s ruling will determine the future of the region’s only Hindu temple.

An Indian Muslim man was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, in what police are investigating as a religiously motivated hate crime. Authorities said the suspect admitted he targeted the victim because of his Muslim faith and allegedly told investigators he “intended to kill Muslims.” Bystanders restrained the attacker until police arrived, and he was arrested at the scene. The victim remains hospitalized with severe injuries. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over rising anti-Muslim hate crimes in the United States. (PC: NDTV)

Seventeen-year-old Indian-origin student Riddhi Chauhan has become the Battalion Commanding Officer of her school's Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) unit in Queens, New York, leading nearly 300 cadets. The daughter of Indian immigrants with roots in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Riddhi has also secured admission to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, a pathway to the United States Naval Academy. She joined the programme to build confidence and leadership skills, rising through multiple leadership roles before earning the top student position. Riddhi says discipline, service and teamwork have shaped her journey toward becoming a future US Navy officer. (PC: X)

New videos and intelligence inputs have raised fresh security concerns for India after Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was reportedly seen training its cadres in artificial intelligence (AI), water-based infiltration and combat skills. Security officials say the training includes swimming, special operations, martial arts and modern technology. Some sessions are reportedly being held at Pakistan's Mangla Dam, where 26/11 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab and other terrorists had also trained. Officials believe these new capabilities could strengthen LeT's operational planning, cyber activities and infiltration attempts. Indian agencies are closely monitoring the group's evolving tactics and training programmes.

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a key role in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin not to use tactical nuclear weapons during the Ukraine war in late 2022. Speaking after the India-Poland Joint Economic Commission meeting in New Delhi, Bartoszewski said Modi remains among the few global leaders whose advice Putin respects due to India's longstanding strategic relationship with Russia. He suggested New Delhi's diplomatic engagement helped avert a dangerous escalation of the conflict. The remarks underscore India's unique position in maintaining close ties with both Russia and Western nations while projecting itself as a credible diplomatic interlocutor on major international crises.

Indian marine engineer Heramb Karmarkar, 30, from Pune, was confirmed dead after an Iranian strike hit the Cyprus-flagged merchant vessel GFX Galaxy near Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Moments before the attack, Karmarkar had texted his family saying, "Ship has safely crossed," believing the danger had passed. He was among the Indian crew reported missing after the strike. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 10 Indian nationals aboard were rescued, while one remains missing. His family has urged the government to bring his body home intact. India condemned the attack as "deeply worrisome" and said its embassy in Oman is coordinating rescue and assistance efforts. (PC: NDTV)

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) comes into force on Wednesday, reducing tariffs, expanding market access and boosting trade between the two countries. India will provide phased duty cuts on British products, including Scotch whisky, gin and UK-built luxury cars, while 99% of Indian exports by value will receive zero-duty access to the UK across sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and seafood. The agreement also introduces a Double Contribution Convention, exempting eligible Indian professionals on temporary UK assignments from dual social security payments for up to five years. Analysts expect long-term gains through higher exports, investment and deeper economic cooperation. (PC: AI)