All 24 Indian crew members on an oil tanker were safely rescued after a fire broke out near the Omani coast on Monday. The vessel was operating close to the Strait of Hormuz, an important global shipping route. Earlier reports said the tanker sent an SOS signal after it was reportedly hit by a projectile. The Directorate General of Shipping confirmed that all crew members are safe and no injuries were reported. Maritime authorities have started an investigation to find the cause of the fire. Indian officials are in contact with local agencies and are monitoring the situation closely. (PC: MarineTraffic)

India on Monday expressed deep concern over the renewed military escalation between Israel and Iran, calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the fresh attacks were a matter of serious concern and urged all sides to avoid actions that could worsen the conflict.   The government highlighted the heavy humanitarian and economic costs of the prolonged crisis, saying the conflict has caused significant suffering and affected global energy supplies. India also called for the protection of civilians and urged all parties to continue diplomatic negotiations to restore peace and stability in the region. (PC: HT)

Indian-origin entrepreneurs have emerged as the leading immigrant founders of billion-dollar startups in the United States, according to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). The study found that Indian-born founders have started or co-founded 96 US unicorns, the highest number among all immigrant groups.   India ranked ahead of Israel (60), the United Kingdom (47), China (41) and Canada (30). The report said immigrants founded or co-founded 455 of the 775 US unicorns, accounting for 59% of the country's billion-dollar startups.   Among the notable companies is AI startup Perplexity, co-founded by Indian-origin entrepreneur Aravind Srinivas. The report highlights the growing role of the Indian diaspora in driving innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship across the US technology sector. (PC: The Indian Express)

Indian travellers visiting Cambodia can now make payments using UPI-enabled QR codes at more than 4.5 million merchant locations across the country. The service was launched through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited and ACLEDA Bank. The move will allow Indian tourists to pay digitally without carrying large amounts of cash. Officials said the next phase will enable Cambodian travellers to use their local payment apps in India. Cambodia is now the ninth country to accept UPI payments, joining Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar and Sri Lanka in the growing UPI network. (PC: Pexels)

The sister of 28-year-old Telangana resident Anshul Kuncha, who was shot dead during a suspected fake pizza delivery in Philadelphia, has urged Indian families not to send their children to the United States. Anshul had been living in the US for nearly four years and worked part-time as a pizza delivery executive on weekends. His family believes he was lured into a trap and has demanded justice, along with the early return of his mortal remains to India. The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of Indian nationals and students living abroad. (PC: X)

Hyderabad resident Anshul Kuncha was shot dead while delivering a pizza in Philadelphia, United States, in a suspected targeted attack. The 2024 Business Analytics graduate from Drexel University worked weekend pizza delivery shifts to earn extra income. According to US media reports, he was called to deliver an order to a vacant house, where two masked suspects allegedly followed and shot him. His sister described the incident as a "trap" and appealed to the Indian government to help bring back his mortal remains. The family has also sought justice and urged parents to think carefully before sending children abroad. (PC: HT)

Singapore has ordered YouTube, Facebook and X to block access to 14 xenophobic social media posts targeting the Indian community, saying the content threatens the country's multicultural values and racial harmony. Authorities said the posts, believed to have originated overseas, promoted inflammatory narratives claiming that Singapore was being "overrun by Indians". The action was taken under the Online Criminal Harms Act, with police directing the platforms to restrict access for users in Singapore. The government said it has zero tolerance for xenophobia and attempts to create divisions between communities, stressing that safeguarding racial harmony remains a national priority. (PC: India Today)

  A 28-year-old Indian man from Telangana was shot dead while delivering a pizza in Philadelphia, with his family alleging that the order was a planned trap. Anshul Kuncha, who worked for a multinational company, delivered pizzas on weekends for extra income.   According to his family, Anshul was called to a deserted location where he was shot multiple times before the attackers fled. They claim nothing was stolen, raising questions about the motive. The Indian Consulate in New York said it is in touch with local authorities and is providing all possible assistance to the bereaved family. (PC: NDTV)

A 27-year-old Indian man, Pravna Bhatt, was caught by vigilantes in the UK while allegedly attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been grooming online. Bhatt, residing in the UK on a post-study visa after attending the University of Leeds, admitted sending sexually explicit messages to the minor despite knowing her age. When confronted on camera, he pleaded for forgiveness saying, "Give me a last chance." He begged vigilantes not to involve police. This is the latest in a series of similar cases involving Indian nationals in the UK. (PC: NDTV)

A 27-year-old Indian student in the United Kingdom has come under investigation following a viral video showing a confrontation over alleged inappropriate online communication with a minor. Reports state that the incident involved interactions with someone presented as a 14-year-old girl. The video, widely shared on social media, captures members of a civilian group questioning the man before authorities were reportedly informed. UK police are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case. The incident has generated significant online discussion and renewed attention on internet safety, responsible online conduct, and the protection of minors in digital spaces.