A man from Pothireddypalle village in Rajanna Sircilla district, N Rajeswara Rao, was injured during an attack linked to the Iran conflict near Abu Dhabi International Airport, his parents said. Rao, who works in the airport’s housekeeping section, told family via video call that he and several others sustained minor injuries after the strike but managed to escape. His father, Prabhakar Rao, urged the Indian government to assist in bringing his son home safely amid escalating Gulf tensions. Some passengers arriving in Hyderabad reported no travel issues despite regional unrest. (PC: AFP)

An Indian-origin startup founder said he is stranded in Dubai during the US-Iran conflict and criticised the US government’s evacuation response. Soups Ranjan, CEO and co-founder of Sardine, said he travelled to Dubai for business but has been unable to return as flights to the United States were cancelled. “After four days of adrenalin and constant fear, I feel demoralised and abandoned by our government,” he wrote on X. Ranjan said he booked several flights but all were cancelled. He urged the US government to keep flights running, arrange evacuation if needed, and set up a working emergency helpline. The US says more than 9,000 Americans have already returned from the Middle East. (PC: HT)

An Iranian naval frigate sank off the coast of Sri Lanka after sending a distress call, triggering a large rescue operation. The ship, identified as IRIS Dena, had recently taken part in naval exercises in India. Sri Lankan officials said the vessel went down about 40 nautical miles south of the island in international waters. Around 180 crew members were believed to be on board. Authorities rescued 32 injured people and recovered several bodies from the sea. Some defence sources said the ship may have been attacked by a submarine and that many crew members were missing. However, the Sri Lankan navy rejected these claims and said the cause of the sinking remains unknown. (PC: India Today)

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said the decision to strike Iran came only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi finished his visit to Israel. Modi was in Tel Aviv on February 25 and 26. Azar said the attack plan was not known during the meetings with the Indian leader. “It was an operational opportunity that came up only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left,” he said. Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, targeting several cities including Tehran. The attacks killed hundreds of people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran later fired missiles at Gulf regions in retaliation. (PC: MEA/PTI/ News18)

A 21-year-old Indian-American student was among three people killed in a shooting at a crowded bar in Austin, Texas. The victim, Savitha Shan, studied management information systems and economics at the University of Texas and was expected to graduate in May. The suspected shooter, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire near Sixth Street before police shot him dead. Officials said he was wearing clothes with an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah”. The FBI is examining a possible terrorism link and whether the attack is connected to tensions between the US and Iran. Authorities said the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. (PC: X/@rfinney)

Amid escalating military conflict in West Asia, 37 Indian-flagged vessels with 1,109 sailors are stranded in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and adjoining waters after the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route effectively shut down due to clashes involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Some ships were heading to India with crude oil and LNG, while others were en route to pick up petroleum products. The Directorate General of Shipping is continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with maritime authorities and shipping firms. A quick response team has been formed to support seafarers and families, and operators are urged to exercise heightened caution and risk assessment. (PC: PTI)

A shooting at a crowded bar on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, left three people dead, including 21-year-old Indian-American student Savitha Shan. The suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was wearing clothing featuring an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah,” according to AP citing a law enforcement official. The other victims were 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson. Police fatally shot the gunman after he opened fire with a rifle near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden. Authorities, including the FBI, said the motive remains unclear. Savitha, a University of Texas student, was described as a “superstar” set to graduate in May. (PC: X/@rfinney)

Caleb Friesen, a Canadian who has lived in Bengaluru for over eight years, went viral after explaining why he chose to settle in India long-term. He said many people assume he has an ulterior motive, as they understand tourism or short-term work assignments, but struggle to accept someone simply living here “like a normal person.” Friesen noted that some Indians carry a subliminal disdain for their own country, a perspective he does not share. He believes every nation, including Canada, the US, the UK and Singapore, has good and bad aspects. Emphasising optimism, he said comparison is the thief of joy and he chooses positivity.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday established a special control room in New Delhi in view of the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, India Today TV reported. The facility will operate daily from 9 am to 9 pm to assist Indian nationals and address related queries. People can contact the control room at 1800118797, +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104 and +91 11 2301 7905. The MEA also released emergency contact numbers for Indian embassies in Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Ramallah (Palestine), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Jeddah) and the United Arab Emirates. (PC: India Today)

India is planning to procure five additional squadrons of the Russian S-400 Sudarshan air defence missile system, following its strong performance during Operation Sindoor last year. The system was credited with intercepting Pakistani aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles during the four-day confrontation on May 10. India currently operates three S-400 units, with two more due for induction under the 2018 Russia deal. Defence Ministry sources said the Indian Air Force proposal will soon be cleared, with deployment planned along eastern and western fronts. The move comes amid heightened Middle East tensions after US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation across the region. (PC: India Today)