A 25-year-old US Air Force member, identified as Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC in protest of the genocide happening in Palestine. Independent Journalist Talia Jane obtained and shared footage of the incident, which shows Bushnell in military uniform before he sets himself on fire and is later rushed to the hospital where he succumbs to his injuries. The family of Bushnell gave permission for the blurred video to be shared on social media.
The Indian American community in the Triangle gathered at the SV Hindu Temple in Cary to honor and remember the victims of the Air India plane crash. The vigil, held on Thursday, provided a space for people to grieve and pray for the families of the 290 people who were killed, the majority of whom were Indian nationals. Despite not being able to physically be there for the victims' families, the temple provided a way for the community to come together and show their support. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was bound for London and had only one survivor who suffered minor injuries. G-E Aerospace, which manufactures engines for the Dreamliner, released a statement expressing their condolences and readiness to support the investigation.
In the midst of ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, at least eight Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of people attempting to reach aid distribution points. The blockade and military campaign by Israel have caused widespread hunger and raised the risk of famine in the area, with the majority of the population reliant on international aid. This violence follows a chain of events in the region, including an Israeli attack on Iran, and highlights the ongoing struggle for humanitarian aid in the region.
The Char Dham yatra pilgrimage turned deadly when a helicopter carrying tourists from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed in poor weather conditions. All seven people on board, including a pilot, lost their lives, sparking a high-level investigation and immediate suspension of all operations by the operator. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also suspended all charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region for the next two days as a precautionary measure.
Cross-border tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate as a ballistic missile reportedly hits an Israeli refinery and an earthquake shakes a nuclear facility. With no signs of either side backing down, the possibility of a prolonged and devastating conflict looms. The US has expressed support for Israel, while Iran maintains its stance of pursuing nuclear energy and research.
The IDF confirmed the death of 21-year-old Sgt.-Maj. Noam Shemesh, a squad commander from Jerusalem, who was killed by an RPG fired at troops in southern Gaza. Despite the loss, the Kfir Brigade, along with other divisions, continued operations in the area, targeting terrorist infrastructure and destroying buildings used by Hamas. IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effi Defrin extended condolences to Shemesh's family and emphasized that the war goals of freeing kidnapped citizens and weakening Hamas's control remain top priority. He also warned of more anticipated missile attacks from Iranian proxies in the region, stating that the IDF is prepared for future conflicts.
PM Modi's first visit to Cyprus in over 20 years was marked by a renewed focus on strengthening economic and strategic partnerships between the two nations. During a business roundtable, Modi and Cypriot President Christodoulides engaged with top CEOs to explore collaboration in sectors like energy, innovation, technology, and fintech. The visit also symbolized Cyprus' support for India on global platforms, and opens up new avenues for India-EU cooperation as Cyprus prepares to assume the presidency of the EU Council in 2026.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated into a full-fledged war, with both sides launching deadly attacks on each other's nuclear and military sites. As tensions continue to rise, world leaders are voicing concern that the battle between these long-time adversaries could lead to a larger regional conflict. With the death toll and destruction mounting, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging both sides to seek a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tehran is working to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian students in the area.
President Donald Trump's military parade on his birthday was met with criticism and embarrassment, with many pointing out the lack of discipline and enthusiasm among participants. Even economist and author Anders Aslund called it a "wonderful embarrassment" for Trump, while ANI editor Smita Prakash compared it to a march by prisoners of war. The parade's poor reception online has sparked discussions about the state of the military and Trump's presidency.
Typhoon Wutip, which made landfall in southern China, has caused heavy rains and winds in central Vietnam, resulting in five deaths and two missing people. The storm has also caused massive flooding in the area, affecting over 70,000 hectares of cropland. While Chinese authorities have evacuated thousands of people and closed schools ahead of the storm's landfall, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts that it will weaken and dissipate by the end of the weekend.
A helicopter carrying pilgrims on a journey to a sacred Hindu temple in northern India crashed in the Himalayas, resulting in the death of all seven passengers on board. The cause of the crash is believed to be poor weather conditions. Rescue teams are currently conducting a search and recovery operation in the remote and dense forest area where the crash occurred.