The Israel military has launched an offensive and launched strikes near Damascus and the presidential palace in southern Syria, causing deadly sectarian fighting to escalate. This follows Tel Aviv's vow to protect Druze citizens in Suweida. The Syrian government has accused Israel of treacherous aggression, while Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu defends the move in the name of saving Druze brothers and eliminating the regime's gangs. The United States has also expressed concern and is working towards finding a solution to the ongoing violence within a matter of hours.
US President Donald Trump's recent remarks about the India-Pakistan military confrontation have sparked controversy as he claimed that the US played a role in defusing tensions through economic leverage. However, Indian officials have rejected this assertion, stressing that the situation was addressed bilaterally between New Delhi and Islamabad. President Trump's comments raise questions about the involvement of foreign powers in the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
During a White House dinner with Republican lawmakers, US President Donald Trump stated that 4-5 fighter jets were downed during the May hostilities between India and Pakistan, with no clarification as to which country's jets were shot down. The Indian Air Force claimed to have brought down several high-tech Pakistani jets, but Pakistan downplayed this, stating that only one of their jets experienced minor damage. Both countries have made contrasting claims, with the Pakistani military failing to provide evidence of their alleged success.
The NCERT has released a new social science textbook for Class 8 that delves into the darker periods of Indian history, particularly the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, known for their religious intolerance and brutal conquests. The textbook aims to educate students about the rise and fall of these empires, highlighting their attacks on temples and other religious places, as well as their exploitation of non-Muslim subjects. This shift in focus comes as the NCERT aims to provide a more balanced and accurate portrayal of these historical events.
On July 18th each year, people around the world come together to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president. This day of commemoration marks Mandela's 67 years of selfless public service and his unwavering commitment to fighting against discrimination and injustice. Through initiatives such as the 46664 concerts and the Nelson Mandela foundations, the message of peace, reconciliation, and equality continue to be spread globally.
On July 18, 2025, people all over the globe will celebrate the Nelson Mandela International Day in honor of the former South African president who dedicated 67 years of his life to public service. This day is a recognition of Mandela's remarkable legacy, as he led a nonviolent and resilient resistance against the oppressive apartheid regime, promoting freedom, justice, and human rights. In 2009, the United Nations officially declared this day to highlight Mandela's contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. Today, this day also serves as a reminder to promote the values of peace, reconciliation, and equality.
India's first indigenously built diving support vessel, Nistar, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Friday. This marks a significant step in enhancing India's submarine rescue capabilities and establishes it as a preferred partner in this field globally. The vessel has state-of-the-art technology and can rescue and evacuate personnel from up to 300 meters deep, making it a valuable addition to the Indian Navy's fleet. The commissioning ceremony was attended by top naval officials and the Minister of State for Defence, who highlighted the vessel's importance in showcasing India's growing prowess as a naval power.
In a strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation, the US State Department has designated the Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move makes financing, aiding, advising, and helping TRF a crime under US law. The Indian government has welcomed this decision and acknowledges the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. TRF has been involved in various terror activities, including the deadly attack on civilians in Pahalgam, for which it has claimed responsibility twice. This action shows the Trump administration's commitment to enforcing justice for the Pahalgam attack and protecting national security interests.
In a significant development for India's maritime prowess, the country's first indigenous Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar, has been commissioned by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. With advanced dive systems and rescue capabilities, Nistar is set to position India as a preferred partner for submarine rescue globally. Its name, which means "liberation" in Sanskrit, reflects its purpose as a lifeline for deep-sea divers, and with its cutting-edge equipment, Nistar is poised to lead the charge in the marine-based industry.
India's first indigenous diving support vessel, INS Nistar, will be officially commissioned in Visakhapatnam on July 18th. The vessel, built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, is a significant milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance. With over 80% indigenous content, the vessel showcases India's ability to design and develop complex defence platforms. Equipped with advanced systems and capabilities, INS Nistar will provide crucial support to deep sea diving and submarine rescue operations in the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command.
The US Department of State has designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar praised the move, which is seen as a further strengthening of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. The TRF is an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been involved in propaganda, recruitment, infiltration, and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. The group gained attention in 2020 after multiple clashes with Indian security forces. The designation comes after the Indian government declared the TRF a terrorist organization in 2023 following the revocation of Kashmir's special status and the LeT's decline in 2018.