A court remanded former BRS MLA Rohith Reddy, his brother Ritesh Reddy and businessman Namith Sharma to 14-day judicial custody in a drugs case. Police seized narcotics during a raid at Reddy’s Moinabad farmhouse and registered cases under the NDPS Act.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India has not reached a “blanket arrangement” with Iran to ensure the passage of Indian-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, even though diplomatic engagement with Tehran has helped ease the movement of some vessels.

Speaking about the situation in West Asia, Jaishankar said India has been in regular contact with Iran to address concerns related to maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. He noted that discussions with Iranian authorities have produced “some results”, helping certain Indian vessels transit the strait without major disruptions.

However, the minister clarified that India has not secured a broad agreement guaranteeing safe passage for all ships flying the Indian flag. Instead, the government is dealing with the issue on a case-by-case basis through diplomatic coordination and communication with Iranian officials.

Jaishankar said each situation involving Indian vessels is assessed individually, and the government works through diplomatic channels to ensure their safe movement. According to him, India’s engagement with Iran is based on dialogue rather than on any formal or comprehensive arrangement.

The remarks come amid rising tensions in West Asia that have affected shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and carries nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, making it vital for global energy markets.

India, which imports a large share of its crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas from Gulf countries, is closely monitoring developments in the region. Any disruption in shipping through the strait could impact global energy prices and supply chains.

Jaishankar noted that recent diplomatic engagement helped facilitate the passage of at least two Indian-flagged LPG tankers through the strait. He described this as evidence that communication and coordination with Iran can help resolve specific issues involving shipping.

At the same time, he emphasised that different countries have their own equations with Iran, and solutions may vary depending on diplomatic relations and circumstances.

Also Read: 10 dead in fire at SCB hospital, Odisha

A major fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, early Monday morning claimed the lives of at least 10 patients and triggered panic among staff and attendants. The blaze reportedly broke out in the trauma care intensive care unit (ICU), where several critically ill patients were undergoing treatment.

Officials said the fire started between 2.30 a.m. and 3 a.m., quickly filling the ICU with thick smoke and flames. At the time of the incident, around 23 patients were admitted to the ward. Hospital staff and emergency responders rushed to evacuate patients, but the dense smoke and the critical condition of many patients made the rescue operation difficult.

Seven patients died at the scene due to burns and suffocation, while three others later succumbed to injuries and smoke inhalation during evacuation and treatment. Several hospital staff members were also injured while attempting to rescue the patients from the affected ward.

Fire service teams arrived at the hospital with multiple fire engines and managed to bring the blaze under control after an intense firefighting operation. Patients from the affected unit were immediately shifted to other wards to continue their treatment.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, possibly linked to air-conditioning equipment or other electrical installations in the ICU. However, authorities said the exact cause of the incident will only be confirmed after a detailed investigation.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital following the tragedy to assess the situation. He announced financial assistance of ₹25 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and assured that the injured patients would receive proper medical care.

The Chief Minister has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the fire and identify any lapses in safety measures.

SCB Medical College and Hospital is one of the largest government healthcare institutions in Odisha, serving thousands of patients daily. The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety systems and emergency preparedness in hospitals across the state.

The Union government has decided to withdraw the detention of Ladakh-based climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, paving the way for his release after several months in custody.

Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs said the decision was taken after reviewing the situation in Ladakh and considering the broader need to maintain peace in the region. Authorities said the move could help create space for dialogue with local communities and leaders.

Wangchuk had been detained in September 2025 following protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for the region. Demonstrations had taken place in several parts of Ladakh, including the town of Leh, where tensions escalated between protesters and security forces.

The government had invoked the preventive detention law, which allows authorities to hold individuals without formal charges if they are seen as a threat to national security or public order. Wangchuk had been kept in custody under this provision as officials said the step was necessary to control the unrest.

His detention sparked widespread reactions across the country. Supporters, environmental activists and several public figures called for his release, arguing that Wangchuk has long worked for the welfare of Ladakh and the protection of the fragile Himalayan environment.

Wangchuk is widely known for his work in sustainable development and innovative education models in the region. Through his initiatives, he has promoted eco-friendly technologies and solutions designed to help communities in high-altitude areas adapt to climate challenges.

Legal efforts were also made to challenge his detention. A petition questioning the move had been filed in the Supreme Court of India by members of his family, seeking his immediate release.

With the government now revoking the detention order, Wangchuk is expected to be released soon.

Also Read: Eleven Indians charged in US Visa fraud scheme

Google has rolled out one of the biggest updates to Google Maps in over a decade, introducing several artificial intelligence features aimed at improving navigation and discovery. The highlight of the update is the new “Ask Maps” feature, powered by Google Gemini, which has started rolling out to users in India.

The “Ask Maps” tool allows users to interact with the app using natural language instead of traditional keyword searches. People can ask detailed questions such as where to find restaurants along a route, good tourist spots for a short trip, or scenic drives nearby. The AI then provides suggestions and directions based on information available within Google Maps.

The system analyses data from millions of listed places, along with user reviews, photos and community contributions. By processing this information through Gemini AI models, the app can deliver more personalised recommendations depending on the user’s request.

Google said the feature is designed to make travel planning easier by allowing users to explore places in a conversational way. Once suggestions are provided, users can directly start navigation, save locations or share them with others.

Along with “Ask Maps,” the company has also introduced an improved navigation interface called immersive navigation. This feature adds more detailed visuals to the driving experience, including realistic 3D views of roads, buildings and intersections.

According to Google, the upgrade aims to transform Google Maps from a simple navigation tool into a smarter travel assistant. While the “Ask Maps” feature is already rolling out in India for Android and iOS users, some of the new navigation features will expand gradually to more regions in the coming months.

The updated interface also highlights road elements such as lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. These additions are meant to help drivers better understand complex roads and prepare for upcoming turns.

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Two Indian workers were killed and ten others injured after a drone attack hit an industrial facility in Sohar, Oman. Authorities said the injured are receiving treatment. Indian officials are in touch with Omani authorities following the incident.

Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly participating in a scheme that staged fake armed robberies in order to obtain immigration benefits reserved for victims of crime.

Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts said the group organised a series of planned robberies at convenience stores and similar businesses. The incidents were allegedly designed to make store employees appear as victims of violent crime so they could apply for the U-visa programme, which provides legal status to non-citizens who help authorities investigate or prosecute serious offences.

Investigators say the robberies were carefully planned to appear real. In several cases, a person posing as an armed robber reportedly entered a store, threatened the clerk and took money from the cash register before leaving. The employees then contacted police and reported the incident as a genuine robbery.

Authorities believe the suspects used surveillance footage, police reports and witness statements from these staged incidents as evidence while applying for U-visas. The programme is intended to protect immigrants who are victims of crimes such as assault, trafficking or robbery and who assist law enforcement during investigations.

According to prosecutors, the fraudulent activities began around March 2023 and involved multiple stores in Massachusetts. Officials said some participants allegedly paid organisers to arrange the staged robberies so they could qualify for the visa programme. In some cases, store owners were also suspected of cooperating with the plan by allowing their businesses to be used for the fake crimes.

The accused individuals were reportedly living in several US states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio. Authorities said the investigation uncovered a network of people working together to organise the incidents and prepare the immigration applications.

Also Read: Warrant against Farooq Abdullah recalled

Dubai was hit again within 24 hours as debris from an intercepted attack damaged a building in the financial district. Meanwhile, a missile struck a helipad inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad as the US-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 15th day.

The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, along with several other senior Iranian officials. The move comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The reward has been issued under the US State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” programme. Officials said the offer seeks information about individuals linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington accuses of supporting activities that threaten regional stability and international security.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed Iran’s top leadership position after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during recent US-Israeli airstrikes. Since then, the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has intensified, raising fears of wider regional instability.

The reward announcement also includes information about several key Iranian figures believed to be involved in security and intelligence operations. US authorities said individuals who provide credible information could receive financial compensation and may also qualify for relocation support to ensure their safety.

At the same time, the conflict is beginning to affect global trade and logistics. Air freight rates have surged as airlines and cargo companies avoid routes across the Middle East due to security concerns and military activity in the region.

Industry analysts say cargo carriers are increasingly rerouting flights to bypass high-risk areas, leading to longer travel times and higher operational costs. In some cases, businesses have shifted shipments from sea to air to avoid potential disruptions in maritime routes.

One of the key concerns is instability near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping passage that handles a significant share of the world’s oil and energy supplies. Any disruption in this corridor could have major consequences for global trade and energy markets.

Also Read: Centre revokes NSA detention of Sonam Wangchuk