The Indian Navy has deployed the warship INS Teg and maritime surveillance aircraft P-81 to search for a missing crew after a Comoros-flagged vessel capsized off the coast of Oman. The vessel, "Prestige Falcon", had 13 Indian and 3 Sri Lankan crew members on board, all of whom are reported missing. Omani vessels and personnel are also involved in the search and rescue operation. The incident was reported on Monday, and search efforts are currently underway. The Indian Navy's swift response aims to ensure the safe rescue of the missing crew members.

Twenty-seven workers from Jharkhand, India, are stranded in Cameroon without pay or essential resources. They were recruited by a private company in March but haven't received wages for four months. The workers, from Bokaro, Giridih, and Hazaribagh, claim they are facing food and water scarcity. They have appealed to the Indian government for evacuation. Jharkhand Minister Bebi Devi has requested the External Affairs Ministry to intervene, tagging Minister S Jaishankar. The workers' plight highlights the challenges faced by Indian workers in foreign countries. Efforts are underway to ensure their safe return.

A two-year investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has led to the bust of an Indian-origin criminal gang involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. The gang, comprising Rickinder Hare, Neelen Balarajah, and Hitesh Vadolia, laundered millions in criminal cash and distributed class A and B drugs. They also attempted to fraudulently acquire £1.5 million in government grants. Balarajah received a 13-year prison sentence, while Hare received a suspended sentence and community service. Vadolia, the "cash courier," faced multiple charges before his death. The NCA continues to probe links to "politically exposed individuals overseas."

Bihar's Hajipur has emerged as a key manufacturing hub for high-quality shoes. Competence Exports, a private company, has been producing safety shoes for the Russian army and designer shoes for European markets since 2018. In the last year, the company exported 1.5 million pairs, valued at Rs 100 crore. This accounts for 50% of India's total shoe exports to Russia, making Competence Exports the largest exporter to the country. The company aims to increase exports by 50% this year, further solidifying Hajipur's position in the global shoe industry.

Thirteen Indian nationals are reported missing after the Comoros-flagged oil tanker, "Prestige Falcon," capsized off Oman's coast. The incident occurred on Monday, with Oman's maritime security center confirming the crew comprised 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans. The tanker remains submerged and inverted, prompting urgent search and rescue operations. Authorities are assessing the vessel's stability and potential environmental impact, with no confirmation yet on oil leakage into the sea. The Prestige Falcon, a 117-meter-long tanker built in 2007, departed from Dubai's port of Hamriya en route to Aden, Yemen, and was last tracked four days ago.

An Indian national was killed and another injured in a shooting near a Shiite mosque in Muscat, Oman, on July 15. The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed the incident and offered condolences, pledging support to the victims' families. The attack, coinciding with Shiite Ashura commemorations, is the first of its kind in Oman. Police are investigating and have implemented security measures. Shiites form a minority in Oman, where most follow Sunni or Ibadi branches of Islam. Oman has a population exceeding four million, with over 40% being expatriates.

India, Indonesia, and Australia reaffirmed their dedication to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific during a trilateral dialogue meeting. The discussions focused on collaboration opportunities under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the Indian Ocean Rim Association mechanisms. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted areas of cooperation including maritime domain awareness, marine pollution, and blue economy efforts. The meeting emphasized the convergence between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing ASEAN's central role in regional stability and cooperation.

Indian students aspiring to study in the UK are hopeful that the newly elected Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will implement immigrant-friendly policies. Previously, the Sunak administration proposed restricting the graduate visa route, which allows international graduates to work in the UK for two years post-graduation. Experts believe maintaining this visa is crucial for universities' financial stability. The new government is expected to review restrictive policies and potentially introduce more scholarships and streamlined visa processes to support international students, ensuring the UK remains a top destination for higher education.

An Indian national was among six people killed in a mass shooting near a Shia mosque in Muscat, Oman. The attack, which occurred on July 16, 2024, also left nearly 30 people wounded. The Indian embassy in Oman confirmed the death of the Indian citizen via a social media post. Among the deceased were four Pakistani nationals. This incident is notably rare in the typically stable Gulf sultanate. Local authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and have heightened security measures around religious sites.

The UK Home Office has announced the second and final ballot for the India Young Professional Scheme, allowing Indian nationals to live, work, and study in the UK for 24 months. The ballot opens on July 16 at 13:30 IST and closes on July 18. Eligible applicants must be aged 18-30, hold a bachelor's degree, have GBP 2,530 in savings, and no dependent children under 18. The UK has allocated 3,000 places, with most already filled in the February ballot. The remaining spots will be distributed in the July ballot.