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A British F-35B fighter jet stranded in Kerala, southern India, for over five weeks is set to depart on Tuesday, airport authorities confirmed.

The jet, part of the HMS Prince of Wales fleet, was forced to land at Thiruvananthapuram airport—located in Kerala’s capital—on June 14 due to bad weather and later developed a technical snag, according to Firstpost.

Its extended stay drew public attention and was even raised in the UK Parliament. Built by Lockheed Martin, the $110m stealth jet is known for its short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.

At least 40 schools in Bengaluru received bomb threats via email on Friday, prompting swift police action. The messages claimed explosives were hidden in classrooms, triggering evacuations and searches by bomb squads and sniffer dogs. No explosives were found, Xinhua reported.

The incident follows a series of recent hoax threats in Delhi and at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, adding to growing concerns over such false alarms disrupting public life.

The EU has approved a new round of sanctions against Russia, described as one of its toughest yet, according to foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

The package includes a lower price cap on Russian oil exports—cut from $60 to $47.60 per barrel—and measures to permanently block the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines. It also targets a Russian-owned refinery in India and blacklists over 100 vessels linked to sanction evasion, according to Xinhua.

Slovakia, which had delayed the deal over energy concerns, backed the move after receiving assurances from the European Commission.

A cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month supports the view that the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines, said a source briefed on U.S. officials' early assessment of evidence, Reuters reported.

The first officer was at the controls of the Boeing 787 and asked the captain why he moved the fuel switches into a position that starved the engines of fuel and requested that he restore the fuel flow, the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity because the matter remains under investigation.

The U.S. assessment is not contained in a formal document, said the source, who emphasized the cause of the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad, India, that killed 260 people remains under investigation.

There was no cockpit video recording definitively showing which pilot flipped the switches, but the weight of evidence from the conversation points to the captain, according to the early assessment, according to Reuters.

At least 19 people were killed by lightning in Bihar over the past 24 hours amid heavy rain and thunderstorms, officials said Thursday. Most victims were struck while working outdoors or sheltering under trees, Hindustan Times reported.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences and announced compensation for the families. He urged the public to stay alert and follow weather advisories.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of continued lightning and rain in several districts as the monsoon remains active.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on India, China, and Brazil to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin towards peace, warning that continued economic ties with Moscow could “slam back” on them.

His remarks come as India faces criticism for ramping up imports of discounted Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, European and NATO countries remain major buyers of Russian energy, Firstpost reported.

The EU leads in liquefied and pipeline gas imports, while NATO member Turkey is the top importer of Russian oil products—highlighting a double standard in Western criticism.

The Indian Embassy in Iran has issued a new advisory urging Indian citizens to reconsider non-essential travel to Tehran due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to Firstpost.

The embassy advised Indians currently in Iran to stay alert, monitor developments closely, and consider commercial flights or ferry services if planning to leave the country.

This caution follows recent clashes involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Last month, Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites under “Operation Rising Lion,” prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. The US supported Israel and conducted its own strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 as part of “Operation Midnight Hammer”, Firstpost reported.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the US is making real progress in opening up India’s markets, crediting his tariff policies for breaking long-standing trade barriers.

“We’re going to have access into India,” he said, linking the shift to his tougher trade stance, according to Firstpost.

While no formal deal has been announced, talks are underway in Washington with an Indian delegation led by top negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. Trump said a deal is close, though some issues remain — particularly around India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.

Unlike other major partners, India has not received a formal tariff warning, adding weight to hopes for an agreement soon, Firstpost reported.

US President Donald Trump has again claimed he helped avert a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said US trade diplomacy played a key role in easing tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, Firstpost reported.

While Pakistan has credited Trump’s mediation, India has consistently denied any such involvement.

S. Jaishankar, the Indian External Affairs Minister, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting. He conveyed greetings from Indian President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, underlining India's commitment to improving relations while trying to settle lingering border concerns resulting from the 2020 Ladakh standoff, Firstpost reported.

In discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar acknowledged the “good progress” made in easing tensions over the past nine months but emphasized the need for continued efforts to avoid disputes. He also called for removing trade barriers to enhance economic ties and urged a firm, shared stance on “zero tolerance” towards terrorism.

This visit marks Jaishankar’s first to China since the military clashes began, signaling a cautious but positive step toward better cooperation, according to Firstpost.

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), is returning to Earth aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which undocked on Monday. Splashdown is expected off the California coast on 15 July at 3:00 PM IST, Xinhua reported.

Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force pilot, was part of the four-member Ax-4 crew that arrived at the ISS on 26 June. The team conducted 60 scientific experiments, including seven from India’s space agency ISRO.

Shukla is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His mission, backed by ISRO, is seen as a key step toward India’s upcoming human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, planned for 2027, according to Xinhua.

Three schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails on Monday, triggering swift action from authorities. The targeted institutions included two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) schools in Prashant Vihar and Dwarka Sector 16, and an Indian Navy school in Chanakyapuri, Xinhua reported.

Police teams, along with bomb disposal and dog squads, conducted thorough searches at all three locations. Nothing suspicious was found, and the threats were confirmed to be hoaxes. An investigation is underway to trace the source of the emails through their IP addresses.

Similar hoax threats in the past have caused widespread disruption in schools, hospitals, airlines, and hotels across India, according to Xinhua.

Nine people lost their lives and eleven others were injured after a truck overloaded with mangoes overturned in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district on Sunday night.

The lorry, carrying around 40 tons of mangoes with 20 workers seated on top, toppled in Pullampeta area of Annamayya district, about 387 km southwest of Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh while trying to avoid an oncoming car. Many were crushed under falling crates, according to Xinhua.

Rescue teams and locals rushed to help. Police suspect overloading played a major role, though investigations are ongoing.

Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, reaffirming India’s support for China’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) — a key regional bloc focused on security, economic, and political cooperation, Firstpost reported.

He noted steady progress in India-China ties since the 2024 Modi-Xi meeting and welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, calling it widely appreciated in India.

Amid global uncertainties, Jaishankar emphasized the need for open, honest dialogue between neighbours. He is also set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Firstpost.

A flag-hoisting ceremony is set to take place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in November with thousands of special guests expected to attend and Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to be the chief guest.

An official of the temple trust, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told PTI that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted two dates in November for this significant event. Preparations for the ceremony are gaining momentum.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be present as the chief guest on this auspicious occasion,” the official said. According to sources within the temple, the Ram flag will be hoisted atop the 161-foot-high spire of the temple. In addition, flags will also be hoisted on the spires of all other temples within the complex, marking a major milestone towards the completion of the temple’s construction.

Anil Mishra, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra told PTI, “The final program is still being prepared. As soon as it is ready, it will be shared.”

Temple sources further told PTI that the flag-hoisting ceremony is expected to be as grand as the consecration of Lord Ram. The trust is preparing an extensive guest list that includes saints, religious leaders, distinguished dignitaries and devotees from across India and abroad. The trust estimates that thousands of guests will witness this second historic occasion following the consecration ceremony of the deity Ram Lalla.

A senior official from the Ayodhya administration confirmed that preparations are in full swing to welcome the guests. The temple trust and the administrative machinery have started booking rooms in hotels, while arrangements are also being made in major dharamshalas and guest houses across the city, the official added. According to temple sources, astrologers are determining the most auspicious time for the ceremony in November. Discussions are underway to finalise one of the two proposed dates—Nov 16 or Nov 25.

Lord Vishnu took birth on earth in the Treta Yuga as a prince in the royal household of King Dashrath in Ayodhya (now, also referred to as Ram Janmabhoomi) to his first queen, Kaushalya. His eighth avatar was nothing short of a challenge as he endured all the hardships, despite being a man of great principles. Centuries have passed, but his life continues to inspire millions of people across the globe. And the man, blessed with divine powers was none other than Shri Rama, the one who is hailed as Maryada Purushottam. The story of Shri Rama’s birth is a fascinating one. Read on to know how the divine powers planned Lord Rama's arrival on earth.

At least nine people were killed and five others injured when part of the Gambhira Bridge collapsed in India’s western Gujarat state on Wednesday morning, sending vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River.

The bridge, built in 1985 in Vadodara district, gave way unexpectedly, according to state officials. Rescue teams continue to search the river as recovery efforts remain ongoing, according to Al Jazeera.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “deeply saddening” and offered condolences to the victims’ families. Poor infrastructure safety has long troubled India, with a 2022 bridge collapse in Gujarat killing over 130 people.