VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Iraqi ‘Godfather of traffickers’ found in UK seeking asylum under changed identity Jul 02, 2026, 15:42 IST Australia cricketer Aaron Summers faces jail after pleading guilty to child sex abuse charges ‘No feedom of conscience’: Chhattisgarh High Court says students cannot be forced to recite Hindu prayers in schools Sumit Kumar reveals why ‘Eena Meena Deeka’ song brings back childhood memories; ‘My father performed it at almost every stage show’ 7 ideas with emotional and educational value ‘Happening for a long time’: How a ‘fired staffer’ exposed abuse at Capgemini’s Bengaluru daycare Congress leader Salman Khurshid NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday announced that he will represent the party at the state funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Speaking to ANI, Khurshid said, “I am representing the party and will attend the state funeral ceremony of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”His remarks came a day after Tehran sent invitations to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Khurshid, and Rajya Sabha MP-elect Pawan Khera.Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike in Tehran in late February. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts remain unknown.Tehran had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Khamenei’s funeral. However, New Delhi chose Bihar governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Union minister Pabitra Margherita to represent India.On June 3, Iranian authorities announced plans to conduct a three-day public funeral for Khamenei. According to state media, the multi-day funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin on July 4. The rituals will include events in Qom, a holy city south of capital Tehran, on July 7, and will conclude with his final burial on July 9 in his hometown, the holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.While Islamic jurisprudence typically dictates that a deceased person be buried as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, exceptions are permissible, particularly during a state of war. Since February 28, Iran has been at a war with the United States and Israel.Speculation regarding the timeline of the final ceremonies had been mounting since February, with early reports suggesting a late June date before state media officially confirmed the July schedule.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengaluru Daycare Abuse Case Explained: What The Viral Videos And Police Probe RevealNitish Kumar For Deputy PM? JD(U) And RJD Unite As Cabinet Expansion Buzz GrowsGovt Puts WhatsApp Username Feature On Hold Over Fraud, Impersonation Concerns: ReportsWho Are the Men Around CM Vijay? 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Creator who visited the sets makes surprising claim: ‘They had better versions of those scenes’ Venomous cobra found inside moving car on Ghaziabad elevated road; Dramatic rescue goes viral | Sam Altman ‘wants to’ give Trump admin 5% stake in OpenAI, and ‘tells’ Google, Anthropic and other AI companies to… ‘Want this vile criminal out of UK’: Burnham vows to explore ‘all possible options’ to deport grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed Representaitve image (File photo) NEW DLEHI: The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday night after warship INS Trikand swiftly responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel carrying critical cargo for India, according to sources.The affected vessel, MV Golden Arsenal, had one Indian crew member on board when suspected pirates attempted to board the ship.According to ANI sources, the crew immediately activated anti-piracy protocols by locking themselves inside a designated safe room and alerting authorities through an emergency communication channel.INS Trikand, which was operating in the region, responded to the distress call and moved towards the merchant vessel.As the Indian Navy warship closed in on the ship, the suspected pirates fled the area before they could take control of the vessel, sources said.Following the incident, Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded MV Golden Arsenal and conducted a thorough sanitisation operation to ensure the ship was secure and free of any remaining threat.The vessel was subsequently declared safe.ANI Sources said MV Golden Arsenal was carrying critical cargo destined for India. No injuries to the crew or damage to the vessel were immediately reported.The Gulf of Aden remains one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes and has long witnessed incidents of piracy because of its proximity to the Horn of Africa. The Indian Navy has maintained a continuous presence in the region, deploying frontline warships to safeguard merchant shipping and respond to piracy threats.The latest operation adds to a series of anti-piracy missions carried out by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past two years to protect Indian seafarers and commercial vessels transiting through the region.(With inputs from ANI)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Puts WhatsApp Username Feature On Hold Over Fraud, Impersonation Concerns: ReportsWho Are the Men Around CM Vijay? 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