India has announced a 1-day state mourning on July 13 following the death of Qatar's Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away at the age of 74. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the national flag will fly at half-mast across India on all buildings where it is regularly displayed, and there will be no official entertainment during the mourning period. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad, calling him a visionary leader and a valued friend of India who played a key role in strengthening ties between the 2 countries.  

India has strongly condemned an attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman that was carrying 11 Indian crew members. Following the incident, rescue teams safely evacuated 10 Indians, while one crew member remains missing. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities, the ship's operators, and India's diplomatic mission to support rescue efforts and assist the affected crew. New Delhi reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian nationals abroad and called for accountability, emphasizing the importance of protecting international shipping routes and maritime security in the region. (PC: The Tribune)

Vietnamese authorities have detained the captain of a speedboat following a deadly tourist boat capsize in Ha Long Bay that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists. Investigators said the captain allegedly violated safety regulations before the accident. The boat overturned during rough weather while carrying tourists, triggering a major rescue operation. Vietnamese officials have launched a criminal investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragedy and whether safety lapses contributed to the disaster. Indian authorities are coordinating with Vietnam to assist the victims' families and support efforts to repatriate the bodies. (PC: India Today)

India on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, calling the targeting of civilian shipping "deeply worrisome." The Ministry of External Affairs said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while one crew member remains missing. India's Embassy in Oman is coordinating with local authorities as search and rescue operations continue. New Delhi also urged an immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia and stressed the need to protect commercial shipping and ensure freedom of navigation amid the escalating regional conflict. (PC: The Indian Express)

Fourteen channel partners of Lava Mobiles and one company team member were among the 15 Indians killed after a speedboat capsized near Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. Lava Mobiles called the incident an "unimaginable tragedy" and said it is working with the Indian Embassy and Vietnamese authorities to repatriate the victims' bodies. The boat, carrying 32 Indian tourists, overturned shortly after departure during rough weather. According to a survivor, passengers seated near the front managed to escape, while those at the rear became trapped inside the vessel. Rescue and investigation efforts are continuing. (PC: X)

Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a speedboat capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc coast. Survivors said the boat overturned suddenly while passengers were taking photographs, leaving many trapped in the water. The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and 4 crew members, with 21 people rescued. Most victims were part of a reward trip organised for dealers and distributors linked to Lava Mobiles. Vietnamese authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, while the Indian Embassy is assisting affected families and coordinating with local officials.  

Sheetal Wrzesien, an Indian-origin software engineer working at Google, was allegedly shot dead by her husband at their home in Georgia, United States, in a suspected domestic violence incident. Authorities said the couple's young son was also injured during the shooting and is receiving medical treatment. Police arrested the husband at the scene and have launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The incident has shocked the local community and drawn attention to the devastating impact of domestic violence. Investigators are continuing to examine evidence while legal proceedings against the accused move forward. (PC: X)

India and New Zealand have upgraded bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and set a target of doubling two-way trade to NZ$7 billion (around ₹35,000 crore) by 2030. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Auckland, both countries adopted the Strategic Partnership Roadmap to 2030, outlining cooperation in trade, defence, maritime security, tourism and innovation. The two sides welcomed the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement and agreed to establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue. They also signed agreements on maritime cooperation, hydrography, logistics support and tourism, including efforts to launch direct flights. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free Indo-Pacific and called for restraint amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. (PC: X)

India has withdrawn the special travel conditions imposed on Indian citizens visiting Yemen, revoking a 2017 notification issued under the Passports Act. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the restrictions were introduced due to Yemen’s deteriorating security situation during the civil war, but noted that conditions in the country have since evolved. The latest order, signed by Joint Secretary B.S. Mubarak, takes immediate effect and removes the earlier legal requirements for travel. However, the MEA has not changed its travel advisory for Yemen. Indian nationals travelling to the country have been advised to continue following official travel advisories and security updates issued by the government from time to time. (PC: ANI)

Indian-origin truck drivers in Australia have spoken out about facing frequent racist abuse, including verbal slurs, spitting incidents and death threats over CB radios, according to an ABC News report. Drivers said many incidents go unreported due to anonymous offenders, language barriers and little confidence in authorities. One driver recalled being spat on while speaking Punjabi, while others described being told to "go back" and subjected to racial slurs. The Australian Human Rights Commission acknowledged racism exists in the freight industry and urged a broader approach to address it. The revelations come as Australia faces a shortage of nearly 28,000 heavy vehicle drivers despite increasing reliance on migrant workers. (PC: AI Generated)