US forces target Iranian vessel, Tehran vows retaliation; TCS Nashik conversion row; more

The United States Navy intercepted and disabled the Iranian-flagged merchant vessel M/V Touska in the North Arabian Sea after it violated a naval blockade. US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the ship following propulsion failure caused by the USS Spruance. This confrontation occurs amid a fragile ceasefire and scheduled peace talks in Islamabad. Simultaneously, Tata Consultancy Services faces a Supreme Court application and police investigations in Nashik over allegations of forced religious conversions and workplace harassment. Nine First Information Reports detail claims of religious targeting and intimidation by team leaders. Further corporate controversy involves Lenskart, which revised its dress code policy following backlash over the reported banning of Hindu symbols like the bindi and tilak. Additionally, an executive at Emcure Pharmaceuticals is under social media scrutiny regarding a video on the health benefits of Islamic prayers. These events highlight escalating geopolitical tensions over Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz alongside significant debates on corporate bias and religious expression in India.