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New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) India has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire at a shopping centre in Al-Kut, Iraq, which claimed at least 61 lives. Conveying condolences to the government and people of Iraq, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affirmed India's solidarity with them during this tragic time and offered prayers for the victims' families as well as wishing a swift recovery to those injured. "We express our profound grief at the tragic loss of innocent lives and for those who sustained injuries in the devastating fire incident in the city of Al-Kut, Iraq, on 16 July 2025," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. "We offer our sincere condolences to the government and people of Iraq and pray for the families of the victims and for the early recovery of those injured. In this difficult hour, the people of India stand in solidarity with the people of Iraq," the MEA stated in an official message posted on X. A massive fire tore through the five-storey Al-Kornish Hypermarket in Iraq's eastern city of Kut on Wednesday, killing dozens and devastating the local community. According to Iraq's Ministry of Interior, at least 61 people, including men, women, and children, died in the blaze, and dozens were rescued from the burning building. "This heartbreaking fire claimed the lives of 61 innocent citizens, most of whom died from suffocation in the bathrooms due to heavy smoke," the ministry said, calling it "a deeply tragic incident that has shaken Iraq's collective conscience." The bodies of 14 victims remain unidentified. Despite the severity of the fire, civil Defence teams "heroically managed to rescue more than 45 people trapped inside the building, with remarkable dedication and courage," the ministry added.
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
India and the EU are progressing towards implementing a free trade agreement later this year, with discussions focusing on deepening security and defense cooperation. Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that the FTA will benefit the auto industry, encouraging collaboration and innovation. As Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the European Union Political and Security Committee (PSC) delegation, led by Chair Delphine Pronk on Friday, India-EU free trade agreement expected to be ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Sep 26 (PTI) The Telangana government on Friday said it aims to attract Rs 1 lakh crore in investments in the aerospace industry over the next five years. According to a press release, State Industries Minister Sridhar Babu chaired a special meeting at the secretariat with leading representatives from the aerospace sector, engaging in in-depth discussions on the future of aerospace development in the state. ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will embark on a four-day visit to Myanmar from April 8 to April 11, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President on April 10 in Nay Pyi Taw. According to a release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday, Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with key officials of the Myanmar government to discuss ongoing trade, economic, and developmental cooperation initiatives. The MoS will also engage with members of the Indian diaspora and Friends of India in Yangon, highlighti ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) The MEA said today that it is in touch with the UAE authorities over the detention of Major (retd) Vikrant Jaitly, a veteran of the elite 3 Para (Special Forces), and brother of Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly. He is currently in detention in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under unclear circumstances. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing today: "So on the case of Major Vikrant Jaitly, we are in touch with UAE authorities. Our embassy is seized of the matter. We have been making counsellor visits to him, and we have done so o ...Read More >
New Delhi: After India refused to sign a joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in China on Thursday, certain reports had claimed that the declaration had found a mention of the Balochistan crisis, but failed to mention the Pahalgam terror attack prompting India not to endorse the document. However, sources have clarified that these reports are completely incorrect. According to sources, the alphabet soup of the declaration document did not have either B (Balochistan) or P (Pahalgam) in its text. The document did not even have a reference t ...Read More >
Brasilia: India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, presented credentials to Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discussed deepening of bilateral strategic partnership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Brazil. PM Modi is travelling to Brazil at the invitation of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This will be the Prime Minister's fourth visit to Brazil. The 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to 7. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Brazil stated, "Amb @dineshbhatia presented credentials to President @LulaOficial and discussed d ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
India's U.S. Crude Oil Imports Surge 51 Per Cent Following Trump's Return To Office: Sources Sunday, August 03, 2025 by Indian Defence News Since President Donald Trump resumed office for his second term, India has significantly increased its crude oil imports from the United States, marking a substantial shift in its energy procurement strategy. From January to June 2025, India's imports of US crude oil averaged 0.271 million barrels per day (mb/d), a 51% increase compared to 0.18 mb/d in the same period in 2024. This growth was even more pronounced in the April-June 2025 quarter, which sa ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 8 (PTI) India on Wednesday welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and called for unimpeded freedom of navigation and flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while hoping that lasting peace will return to West Asia. New Delhi said it continuously advocated that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the hostilities. The conflict was triggered by US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. India's reaction came hours after Iran and the US agreed on the conditional ceasefire that included the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the ...Read More >
Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reviewed the ongoing restoration work of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, which was the power centre of the Dogra kings in Jammu, and stressed on enhancing its heritage appeal. The Mubarak Mandi Complex is one of Jammu's most significant architectural heritage sites and is envisioned as a comprehensive cultural centre, housing museums, conference venues and heritage hospitality services. Accompanied by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the visit, the chief minister was briefed in detail on the multi-phas ...Read More >
According to the Indian Embassy, the discussions were wide-ranging and built on ongoing dialogue between the two sides. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met senior officials from the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Commerce during a three-day visit, holding discussions aimed at strengthening defence and trade relations while reviewing key global developments. During the visit, Misri held meetings with Under Secretaries Michael Duffey and Elbridge Co ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): After India refused to sign a joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in China on Thursday, certain reports had claimed that the declaration had found a mention of the Balochistan crisis, but failed to mention the Pahalgam terror attack prompting India not to endorse the document. However, sources have clarified that these reports are completely incorrect. According to sources, the alphabet soup of the declaration document did not have either B (Balochistan) or P (Pahalgam) in its text. The document did not ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 19 (ANI): A contingent of 23 athletes supported by Reliance Foundation look to compete at the World University Games across six cities in Germany, with events running until July 27. Representing athletics, archery, and judo, these young talents aim to improve international rankings, achieve personal bests, and bring home laurels. The athletics team forms the backbone of the foundation campaign, with 18 athletes competing in sprints, jumps, throws, hurdles, relay, long jump, decathlon, among other events, beginning July 21, a release said. James Hillier, Di ...Read More >
Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 7.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.96 lakh crore in July (for sales in June), data released by the government on Friday showed. Even though the pace of growth in gross GST collections picked up to 7.5 per cent in July from 6.2 per cent, this is the second consecutive month wherein the growth rate has been in single digits and much lower after posting double-digit growth in the first two months of the ongoing financial year. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Net GST collections, after accounting for refunds, took a hit by growing by just 1.7 per ...Read More >
Port Moresby/New Delhi, Sep 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will be visiting Papua New Guinea (PNG) on September 16 to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the commemorative events marking the country's 50th anniversary of Independence. During the visit, which will take place at the invitation of the Government of Papua New Guinea, MoS Margherita is expected to have bilateral meetings with the political leadership of Papua New Guinea. He will also have interactions with the Indian diaspora and the business community in Papua New Guinea. "Fol ...Read More >
New Delhi [India] September 16 (ANI): Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam on Tuesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, as part of the concluding leg of his eight-day bilateral visit to India. After paying tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Ramgoolam also signed the visitors' book at Rajghat. Also Read | Donald Trump's Advisor Peter Navarro Says India 'Coming to Table' as US Negotiator Brendan Lynch Arrives in India for Trade Talks. Ramgoolam is further scheduled to visit the new Parliament building and call on the President Droupadi Murmu before ...Read More >
New Delhi [India] September 16 (ANI): Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam on Tuesday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, as part of the concluding leg of his eight-day bilateral visit to India. After paying tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, Ramgoolam also signed the visitors' book at Rajghat. Ramgoolam is further scheduled to visit the new Parliament building and call on the President Droupadi Murmu before wrapping up his official visit in the national capital. The Mauritian leader had arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, where he was received by Minis ...Read More >
Benaulim (Goa) [India], May 4 : The observer countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Orgsation (SCO), Iran and Belarus could soon become full-time members of the charter as the decision is under consideration as of now, an official said on Thursday. Earlier, India had also invited the two countries to participate in the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting which took place on April 27-28 in Delhi. Minister of Defense of Belarus, Major General Viktor Khrenin and Iran Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashti participated in the meeting in the national capital that was chaired by Defence Minister R ...Read More >
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India on 8-9 October, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday. This will be Prime Minister Starmer's first official visit to India. According to MEA's statement, PM Modi and Starmer will take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with 'Vision 2035'. "At the invitation of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom the Rt Honourabl ...Read More >
New Delhi, Mar 2 (PTI) Amazon India on Monday announced 'Zero Referral fee' on more than 12.5 crore products, a move, the ecommerce giant said, aims to accelerate growth for lakhs of sellers across the country. Building on last year's fee revision, the company has expanded zero referral fees coverage more than 10-times from 1.2 crore products in 2025 to over 12.5 crore products priced under Rs 1,000 across 1,800-plus categories, the company said in a release. In addition, Amazon has reduced Easy Ship fees by over 20 per cent for products priced below Rs 300. Easy Ship allows sellers to stor ...Read More >
Mumbai: Upset by the city police's alleged pressure to remove loudspeakers from mosques, some mosques in the city have found a solution through the introduction of a dedicated mobile Azaan app to relay call to prayers five times a day, directly to the worshippers.Globally, Muslim citizens, including those in the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE, use Azaan apps to get notification for Azaan time for the masjid located in specific areas.Developed by a group of volunteers in Tamil Nadu , the online azaan app has been in use in TN for over three years. "Most people go out to work and their place o ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 16 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday met the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where both leaders underscored the unique and enduring bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Port Louis. In a post on X by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, both leaders acknowledged the relationship between the two nations, which is rooted in their shared history, language, culture, and values. President Murmu expressed confidence in Prime Minister Ramgoolam's leadership experience, noting that the ties will continue to grow stronger ...Read More >
PM Modi is in Oman for a 2-day visit marking 70 years of India-Oman ties. The trip's central focus is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a trade pact expected to double bilateral trade and boost energy and food security. In the third and final leg of his three-nation visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Oman on December 17-18. This trip, which marks 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Oman, focuses on strengthening business and st ...Read More >
Guwahati, April 7: Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the inauguration of Myanmar's new President, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, scheduled to be held in Nay Pyi Taw on April 10. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Singh will undertake a four-day visit to Myanmar from April 8 to 11. During his visit, he will attend the inauguration ceremony and participate in a series of bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries. "In response to an invitation from the Government of Myanmar, the Minister of Sta ...Read More >
QINGDAO/NEW DELHI, June 26: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday refused to sign a joint communique of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) following the omission of the Pahalgam terror attack and not explicitly addressing India's concerns over Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp At a conference of SCO Defence Ministers' conclave, Singh demanded inclusion of the dastardly terror attack in the communique while the Pakistani side pressed for having a paragraph on militant activities in Balochistan in an apparent attempt to blame N ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today that the objective of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is to fight terrorism, and India wanted a reference to terrorism in the outcome document, but one country opposed its inclusion -- in obvious reference to Pakistan. Addressing a media briefing here, the EAM said: "The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), its objective is to fight terrorism; this organisation exists to fight terrorism. "So, what happened was that when Rajnath ji (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) went for the SCO defence ministers mee ...Read More >
Ferozepur (Punjab) [India], July 3 (ANI): In a startling case of land fraud reported from Punjab's Ferozepur by a whistleblower, a woman and her son allegedly sold off a World War II-era airstrip used by the Indian Air Force in 1997. The case pertains to the fraudulent sale of the land of the historic Advance Landing Ground (ALG) of the IAF in Fattu Wala village here. The airstrip, used during the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars, was allegedly sold by Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand Ansal of Dumani Wala village, currently residing in the national capital Delhi. Also Read | Amarnath Yatra 2025: ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire in Iraq's eastern city of Al-Kut, which has claimed at least 61 lives and left many others injured or missing. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed India's condolences to the people and government of Iraq. "We express our profound grief at the tragic loss of innocent lives and for those who sustained injuries in the devastating fire incident in the city of Al-Kut, Iraq on 16 July 2025. We offer our sincere condolences to the ...Read More >