A special Indian Air Force aircraft is transporting the bodies of 45 Indians who died in a massive fire in Kuwait. The plane will land in Kochi, Kerala around 11 am before heading to Delhi. Gonda MP Kirti Vardhan Singh, now a junior foreign ministry minister, is on board after coordinating repatriation efforts. The fire occurred in a six-story building in Mangaf city, killing 48 people. Among the 176 Indian workers housed there, 45 died and 33 are hospitalized. The Indian embassy confirmed these details and reported the rest of the workers are safe. Ambulances are ready at Cochin airport for the victims.

An Indian Air Force Super Hercules transport aircraft has departed for Kuwait to repatriate the bodies of 45 Indians killed in a devastating fire incident. The tragic blaze in Kuwait claimed a total of 49 lives and injured over 50 individuals. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is overseeing efforts to assist injured Indians and facilitate the return of victims' remains. Kuwaiti authorities have pledged support, including medical care and investigations into the incident. The aircraft is expected to return with the bodies tomorrow, as per defence officials.

US Embassy in India anticipates a record number of student visa applications in 2024, potentially surpassing last year's high of 140,000 visas. To manage the influx, interviews have started earlier than usual. The embassy aims to interview around 4,000 students daily to accommodate the increased demand. Wait times for most visa categories have been drastically reduced, facilitating smoother processing. The US emphasizes the importance of academic exchange between the nations, reflecting a longstanding commitment to fostering educational opportunities. This surge underscores Indian students' growing preference for US universities, strengthening bilateral ties.

Following a devastating fire in Kuwait that claimed 49 lives, including 45 Indians, efforts have escalated to assist injured citizens and repatriate victims. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited hospitals, meeting with injured Indians and coordinating relief measures with Kuwaiti authorities. DNA tests are underway to identify charred bodies, with an Indian Air Force aircraft on standby for repatriation. Kuwait's leadership assured full support, including medical care and an investigation into the incident. Singh praised Kuwait's swift response and medical care, emphasizing India's commitment to aiding those affected by the tragedy.

Taral Patel, a 30-year-old Indian-American running for Fort Bend County Commissioner, was arrested by Texas Rangers for online impersonation and misrepresentation of identity. Patel faces a third-degree felony and a Class A misdemeanor, with bonds set at $20,000 and $2,500. He reported derogatory Facebook comments against him last year, which included allegations of terrorism and communism. Patel has served as the youngest chief of staff for the Fort Bend County judge's office and has been involved in several political campaigns. He was born to Indian immigrants and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Italy on Thursday to attend the G7 summit. This is his fifth time at the event. No bilateral meeting is planned with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Relations between Modi and Trudeau have been strained due to Trudeau's lack of action against Khalistani terrorism in Canada. Trudeau also accused India of being involved in the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. This has further soured relations. India recently reduced the number of Canadian diplomats in the country, accusing them of political interference.

Pradeep, father of Srihari, a 27-year-old victim in Kuwait's fatal building fire, tearfully recounted, "When I saw him, the face was completely swollen, and the nose covered with soot. I was unable to identify him." Srihari, who returned to Kuwait recently, worked in a supermarket while seeking a job in mechanical engineering. The fire, which claimed 49 lives in Mangaf, started early Wednesday, causing thick smoke that suffocated most victims in their sleep. Efforts are ongoing to repatriate Srihari's body to Kerala. The tragedy remains unconfirmed officially by Indian authorities, leaving families awaiting news amid profound grief.        

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak exhibited a warm rapport with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G7 summit in Bari. Photos capturing their affectionate embrace and hand-holding circulated as Sunak announced an additional £250 million aid for Ukraine. The summit focuses on bolstering support for Kyiv and securing Middle East peace. Sunak emphasized leveraging frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, calling for decisive international action against Putin's aggression. The PM's gesture with Meloni marks a strategic shift amidst domestic political engagements, highlighting UK's leadership in global security and humanitarian efforts.

In the aftermath of the tragic fire in Mangaf, Kuwait, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met with injured Indian workers at Jaber Hospital on Thursday. The blaze, which erupted in a housing facility for migrant laborers, claimed 49 lives, including 41 Indians. Singh assured that the injured are receiving proper treatment and emphasized India's cooperation with Kuwaiti authorities to expedite the identification and repatriation of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh in ex-gratia relief for each victim's family, while Congress urged for a higher compensation of ₹25 lakh. Investigations into the fire's cause continue.

Following a devastating fire in Kuwait that claimed 49 lives, including 41 Indians, opposition leaders in India have criticized the government's response. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai argued that the ₹2 lakh compensation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is insufficient. He emphasized that in the face of inflation and economic difficulties, each bereaved family deserves at least ₹25 lakhs in compensation. Rai also called for job opportunities for one family member of each victim to help sustain their households. The tragedy has prompted broader discussions about the living conditions of foreign laborers in Kuwait and the adequacy of support provided to their families back in India.