The United Arab Emirates on Sunday strongly condemned Iran’s renewed missile and drone attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait, saying it blatantly violated the sovereignty of the two countries and posed a serious threat to regional security and stability.In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its full solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait and expressed support for all measures aimed at maintaining their security, stability and the safety of their citizens.
Bahrain says attacks reflect pattern of aggression
Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Iran’s new attack on Bahrain, saying that Bahrain’s territory has once again become a target of ballistic missiles and drones.The latest attack confirmed Bahrain’s earlier warnings about Tehran’s actions, the ministry said, adding that Iran continued to carry out attacks despite international condemnation and previous commitments. It stressed that repeated strikes would neither impose a new reality nor weaken the Kingdom’s resolve.Bahrain described the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and accused Iran of deliberate and systematic aggression against the kingdom’s sovereignty and the security of its citizens and residents.
Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said its forces detected two enemy ballistic missiles in the country’s airspace at dawn and intercepted them in accordance with standard operating procedures.Meanwhile, Kuwait’s foreign ministry condemned Iran’s repeated “heinous” aggression against the country and warned that such actions threaten regional peace and security.
Attacks come after US takes new action against Iran
The attacks come amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched missile and drone strikes on Sunday, saying they were in response to recent U.S. air strikes on Iranian military targets.Earlier, U.S. Central Command said it had struck Iran’s military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities following an attack on a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf.U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement and warned that continued provocations could trigger a tougher U.S. military response.
Tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz
The latest developments come against the backdrop of rising tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.A multinational maritime agency overseen by the U.S. Navy recently expanded a shipping corridor near Oman to facilitate maritime traffic through the waterway. Iran opposes the arrangement and insists it retains control of the strait passage, raising fears of a wider confrontation in the Gulf.
Revolutionary Guards issue warning
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said targeted Kuwait’s al-Asad Air Base and warned that further violations of the ceasefire would lead to a “complete halt” of ongoing diplomatic efforts.according to a report khaliji eraThe UAE reaffirmed its firm support for Bahrain and Kuwait while stressing the importance of maintaining regional stability amid recent escalations. The report noted that the two Gulf states condemned the attack and vowed to take all necessary measures to protect national security.The Revolutionary Guards, which oversee Iran’s ballistic missile program and answer directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, are seen playing an increasingly important role in Tehran’s security and military strategy.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the former chief of the defense staff, has warned that if Andy Burnham succeeds Sir Keir Starmer he will need to give his policies a “Moscow test” and govern “almost like a wartime prime minister”.The intervention comes at a critical time for UK defense policy, as the government prepares to unveil its long-awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP) ahead of next month’s NATO summit in Turkey.
Burnham, widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Starmer, has recently vowed that future government decisions must pass the “Meckfield Test”, a reference to the constituency he won earlier this month, which aims to ensure policies benefit communities outside London.But Sir Tony believes domestic priorities alone will not be enough for Britain’s next leader.“As well as the Makefield Test, I would say it’s also the Moscow Test,” he told the BBC.“What do we look like to Moscow? Do we look like a strong member of the NATO alliance? Do we look like a strong nuclear power? Do we look like a strong ally of the United States? Because these are the elements that keep us safe.”
The former military chief delivered a direct message to Burnham, saying Britain’s next prime minister would have an extraordinary responsibility at a time of rising global instability.Sir Tony said: “This is about keeping our country safe and recognizing that you have this extraordinary responsibility, so you are now almost like a wartime prime minister.”“That means you need to invest in things that actually keep us safe.”In a separate warning published in The Sunday Times, Sir Tony reportedly reminded the future prime minister of the seriousness of Britain’s nuclear deterrent responsibilities and said the country’s leaders must not ignore the threats facing the country.
Pressure on defense spending increases
Sir Tony also urged the next government to fulfill its pledge to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, warning that the UK’s military capabilities were still “too scarce”.He said additional funding will be needed not only for new weapons systems but also for day-to-day military readiness, including maintenance of ships, aircraft and armored vehicles, ammunition stocks and operational availability.“All of this is too naked at the moment,” he said.The former defense secretary warned that failure to meet spending commitments could weaken Britain’s position within Nato and damage relations with the United States.
Defense plans at center of political storm
The comments come as the government’s defense funding plans remain controversial.Earlier this month, Defense Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Kearns resigned, arguing that the proposed funding increase was insufficient to address growing security challenges.Reports show the Ministry of Defense is seeking tens of billions of pounds of extra funding for the rest of the decade, far more than what the Treasury has offered.A revised defense investment plan is expected to be published ahead of a NATO summit on July 7, with ministers pledging greater investment in frontline capabilities, including advanced attack drones, new equipment and increased support for the UK’s armed forces.
Government insists safety remains top priority
Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis sought to reassure allies and military leaders, saying Burnham understood the “nature and complexity” of the international security environment.Jarvis said: “I know that national security will be the first priority of any Labor prime minister.” He also reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening Britain’s military capabilities.
A dog stands in a rusty cage at an abandoned dog farm in South Korea. As the country’s dog meat ban looms, the fate of hundreds of thousands of dogs taken from farms remains unknown, raising concerns among animal welfare groups. (Representative AI image)
As South Korea prepares to impose a nationwide ban on raising, slaughtering and selling dogs for meat next year, a troubling question has arisen: Where have the hundreds of thousands of dogs that once supplied the country’s dog meat industry gone?According to government estimates, 400,000 to 450,000 dogs will be bred for meat by 2024. Today, that number has dropped to around 20,000 as farms close ahead of the ban taking effect in February 2027. But officials have no records showing where most of the animals went.“Our role is to verify that dogs are no longer present on farms or in slaughterhouses before providing compensation,” an inspector from South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture told AFP on condition of anonymity.“We had no part in what was done to the dogs,” he said.The country passed landmark legislation in January 2024 banning the breeding, slaughtering and sale of dogs for human consumption. Offenders face up to three years in prison.To encourage farmers to exit the industry, the government is offering compensation of up to 600,000 won (about $390) for each dog removed from a farm.However, official figures obtained by an MP showed that as of February, only 623 dogs had been adopted and less than 500 had been transferred to shelters, leaving the fate of hundreds of thousands of animals unknown.Animal welfare groups believe many dogs were killed before the law came into effect.“If a large number of rescued dogs join the adoption program, animal organizations like ours will know about them,” said Kim Young-hwan, a representative of animal rights group CARE.“We have not seen any adoptions of dogs rescued from kennels,” he told AFP.CARE said it has rescued and rehomed about 2,500 dogs from farms over the past 20 years, with most sent overseas as Koreans generally prefer smaller pet breeds suitable for apartment living.Dogs raised for meat are usually large breeds such as the Nuremberg or the Korean Yellow Spitz.Former dog owner Ju Yeong-bong acknowledged what may have happened to many of the missing animals.“In South Korea, people have long made a distinction between dogs kept for food and dogs kept as pets,” Joo told AFP.Asked about the fate of thousands of unaccounted for dogs, he said they were likely “already eaten.”CARE’s Kim said the possibility was “infuriating,” adding that animal welfare groups lacked the capacity to save such a large number of dogs.According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as of May, 1,265 dog farms, accounting for about 82% of the country’s total, have applied for closure.Zhu, who is also a Christian pastor, said he entered the dog breeding industry in 1994 after struggling to make a living through ministry.“I feel like the dog meat ban is a betrayal,” he told AFP.“This was imposed for political reasons without meaningful dialogue or appropriate measures being taken to protect our livelihoods.”He said many former dog owners were trying to switch to other livestock industries, but the government’s licensing process slowed the transition.Animal rights advocates argue the ban closes a long-standing legal loophole surrounding the treatment of meat dogs.Unlike cattle or pigs, dogs have never been officially classified as livestock in South Korea, allowing the industry to operate for decades without regulated breeding or slaughtering practices.Animal rights groups say dogs are often electrocuted, hanged or beaten to death.At an abandoned slaughterhouse in the city of Pyeongtaek, AFP reporters found rusty cages containing dog skulls alongside equipment allegedly used to electrocute animals.“They often remain conscious when their internal organs are burned,” Shin Joo-woon, an activist with animal welfare group KARA, told AFP.“Other dogs will witness the process.”KARA said it rescued 29 dogs from the Pyeongtaek factory last month and had filed animal cruelty complaints with the farm owners.
Prince Harry is reconsidering plans to bring Meghan Markle and her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK next month after British authorities rejected a request for taxpayer-funded police protection, according to media reports.The Sussexes are expected to go on their first family trip in four years, with the visit linked to a countdown to Birmingham’s 2027 Invincibles Games. However, the proposed visit is currently under review due to recent security setbacks.
Security decisions throw travel plans into uncertainty
British media cited sources as saying Harry’s team was informed on Friday that there would be no publicly funded police security outside the royal residence during the family’s stay.While he can receive police protection when staying at the royal estate as a guest of King Charles, the duke must otherwise rely on his private security team accompanying him from California.A British government spokesman said the country’s protective security arrangements remained “strict and proportionate” but declined to comment on individual cases.
There are reports that the Duke of Sussex is deeply disturbed by the decision but remains determined to explore options that would allow the trip to proceed safely.The family is expected to spend around five days in the UK, with Meghan planning to accompany Harry to several public events in London and the Midlands. Prince Harry also plans to visit British charities he continues to support.
Reunion with King Charles could be in jeopardy
Uncertainty over the trip could also affect a potential reunion between King Charles III and his youngest grandchildren.Archie and Lilibet have not seen their grandfather since the 2022 celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Harry reportedly told friends he was looking forward to the children reconnecting with the king during the visit.Although Buckingham Palace has not confirmed whether a family meeting is planned, Harry and Charles’ recent interactions have fueled speculation about improving relations.
Long-running security dispute continues
Prince Harry lost a legal challenge to the Home Office more than a year ago over his right to automatic police protection during a visit to the UK.Following the ruling, Harry publicly stated that he did not believe it was safe to bring Meghan and their children to the UK without adequate security arrangements.His team has been awaiting the results of a new security review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the body responsible for determining the level of protection for senior royals and other high-profile individuals.
Signs of thaw in royal relations
Harry last met King Charles in September for a private meeting at Clarence House, their first face-to-face meeting since early 2024.Observers saw the meeting as a tentative step in repairing strained relations after the duke released his memoir, “Standby,” and a series of high-profile interviews critical of the royal family.A final decision on whether Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will travel to the UK is now expected to be made in the coming days.
Three firefighters were killed and two injured while fighting wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said Sunday, as extreme fire conditions continue to fuel the rapid spread of fires in the American West.The agency said firefighters were part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires on Saturday. It did not immediately release further details about the victim or the circumstances surrounding the incident.“The U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the USDA Forest Service stand united in our deep sorrow and unwavering support for the loved ones left behind. Their bravery, dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the agency said in a statement posted on Facebook.Wildfire activity in several western states has intensified following days of hot, dry and windy weather that has taken its toll. Officials said dozens of new fires broke out in Utah, Arizona and neighboring states, while existing fires continued to grow amid what forecasters described as severe fire weather conditions.The largest active fire is the Cottonwood Fire in southwestern Utah, which spread to more than 144 square miles (373 square kilometers) on Saturday as flames swept through canyons and mountains, destroying parts of the ski resort and several summer cabins.Beaver County authorities have begun assessing the damage but have not yet released an official estimate. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the situation serious but praised firefighters for what he called “several miraculous stops and rescues.”Fire officials said steep cliffs and rugged terrain complicated firefighting efforts.“It’s hard to get bulldozers and other heavy equipment into it. Alyssa Mason, a spokeswoman for the fire, said it was difficult to get the engine involved. “That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to fight the fire, but it just slows it down.”Hundreds of firefighters were deployed across Utah to battle new and growing blazes. Officials attribute the rapid spread of the virus to dangerously low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds.Utah’s record low snowpack and warmest winter on record have heightened the wildfire threat. Much of the western United States is experiencing similar conditions, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.Nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) have burned nationwide since the start of the year, exceeding the 10-year average. Firefighters are currently responding to dozens of active incidents across the country, including more than 30 large, out-of-control wildfires.Earlier this week, Governor Cox declared a state of emergency and authorized a statewide ban on fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, citing one of the worst wildfire seasons in Utah’s recent history.State Forester Jamie Barnes said a sharp increase in wildfires over the past week and unprecedented fire behavior has stretched Utah’s firefighting resources.Colorado Governor Jared Polis also declared a state of emergency on Saturday, authorizing the deployment of the National Guard to support firefighting operations.The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for much of the West, including California, Arizona and New Mexico, warning of conditions conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires.In northern Arizona, wildfires continue to burn south of Grand Canyon National Park, while another fire near Kendrick Mountain prompted evacuation orders. Utilities in Arizona and Utah are also conducting precautionary power outages in multiple areas to reduce the risk of new fires in electrical infrastructure.
Earlier on Sunday, Iraqi security forces launched a series of raids in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, arresting several politicians, lawmakers and senior government officials as part of what authorities said was a widening anti-corruption campaign.According to AFP, a large number of security forces, including armored vehicles and tanks, have been deployed in the Green Zone, where Iraqi government agencies, parliament, the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions are located.Videos circulated on local Telegram channels showed security personnel carrying out operations in residential areas and private homes.News agency reporters also reported that security at the entrance to the Green Zone had been tightened as the attack spread to other parts of Baghdad.
Agence France-Presse quoted an unnamed security official as saying the raid was “following judicial orders and targeted several politicians suspected of financial corruption”, adding that counter-terrorism forces and the army were involved in the operation.Iraq’s state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) said several suspects were arrested based on confessions from former deputy oil minister Adnan Jumaili, who was detained last month on corruption charges.Those arrested included lawmakers whose parliamentary immunity had been revoked, as well as other officials.A report by security agencies showed seven people, including five lawmakers, were arrested, the Associated Press reported. Some of the detainees were reportedly affiliated with the political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges against those arrested.Elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces carried out the pre-dawn raid after Iraqi judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant as part of a wider crackdown on an alleged corruption network.Citing security and legal sources, Reuters said some suspects fled before security forces arrived, prompting authorities to seal off the Green Zone and launch an expanded search operation expected to continue in the coming days.
Prime Minister Ali Zaidi, who took office in May, has repeatedly pledged to address Iraq’s long-standing corruption problem, which persists despite similar pledges by successive governments.Earlier this month, authorities seized more than $85 million in a corruption case involving Jumaili, with some of the cash reportedly hidden underground.Sunday’s operation follows the recent arrests of several senior officials, including Jumaili, whose testimony allegedly implicated a wider network of officials in a corruption scheme.
Raid ahead of Washington visit
Another security official said the investigation went beyond financial corruption and included allegations involving the financing of armed factions and the smuggling of U.S. dollars and Iranian oil linked to Tehran-backed groups.A diplomat in Baghdad told AFP the operation was “part of preparations for a visit to Washington” and aimed at demonstrating commitment to Zaidi’s reform agenda ahead of a planned visit to the United States later this month.The attack also coincided with a visit to Baghdad by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Zaidi also vowed to establish a state monopoly on weapons as U.S. pressure mounts to disband Tehran-backed armed groups, which Washington designates as terrorist organizations.In recent conflicts in the Middle East, these groups have launched attacks against U.S. facilities in Iraq and targets in the Gulf states.As of the time of this report, the government had not issued an official statement on the attack.
Uganda Defense Force commander shuts down major media outlets
Muhoozi Kenerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and son of the president, ordered the closure of two major media outlets on Sunday, declaring that he “does not believe in a free press” and saying journalists should be guided by government loyalists.Kenerugaba said the Daily Observer, Uganda’s largest independent daily, and NTV Uganda, one of the country’s largest private broadcasters, “will not reopen without my permission”. The closure also affects KFM and Dembe FM, both part of Nation Media Group.“I don’t believe in press freedom in Uganda! The media should be guided by revolutionary cadres,” Kainerugaba wrote in a series of posts on X. He did not provide a specific reason for the closure.The Daily Monitor reported on Sunday that military personnel had been deployed at the state media group’s offices in the capital, Kampala, but staff were prohibited from entering or exiting. As of Sunday morning, NTV Uganda and other NMG television and radio stations in the country were off the air.Touted as a possible successor to his aging father, President Yoweri Museveni, Kenerugaba is known for controversial comments on social media, including threats to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine. In 2013, the government shut down the Daily Monitor for 10 days over reports about Museveni’s successor.Government spokesman Alan Kasujja and NMG Uganda managing director Susan Nsibirwa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has never commented publicly on who will follow him, even as his son’s influence on security affairs has grown significantly.Wine, who remains in hiding following the disputed January election, has previously accused Kainerugaba of plotting a crackdown on his supporters. Kainerugaba dismissed such claims, saying some of his social media posts were ironic.
Donald Trump attacks New York Times reporter over book, calls it ‘fake news’
President of the United States Donald Trump He launched a blistering attack on a new book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, calling the book “largely fabricated, fake news, and fiction” after they revealed that he left piles of chip bags, ice cream boxes and Starbucks wrappers on the floor of his White House bedroom.“According to Margot Hagman’s quick and boring briefing about my book, it is mostly fabricated, fake news, and mostly fiction, like much of what she has written about me over the years,” Trump wrote in a post published on Truth Social. “She is a third-rate writer and intellect who gets a first-rate paycheck because of me, your favorite president.”He added: “Remember, I won the election, the big wins – all seven swing states, the popular vote, 86 percent of the counties…and they didn’t have the tapes they were implying. This is just another Margot hoax!”
According to sources, the book “Regime Change: Inside Donald Trump’s Imperial Presidency” triggered an extraordinary personal breakdown for the 80-year-old president, so severe that it was reported that government staff were banned from speaking publicly about it.According to the book, Trump “left a lot of trash in his bedroom from all the snacks he ate.” As a habitual nighttime snacker, the president would often leave empty potato chip bags, Starbucks wrappers and ice cream cartons in the trash or scattered on the floor, Haberman and Swann wrote.White House staff were eventually forced to begin actively monitoring trash cans near the president’s bedroom after the president was discovered to have accidentally thrown away sterling silver White House dinnerware along with snack packaging.
Zeteo reporter Asawin Suebsaeng said the book “really triggered” Trump. “It makes him look so disgusting,” a senior Trump appointee told Suebsaeng. “The president of the United States sees everything, he knows what’s going on with the trash cans and bathrooms, and thinks this is complete nonsense.”In addition to bedroom floors, the book delves into Trump’s bathroom arrangements. The section of carpet closest to the shower is often found to be soaked through, and staff aren’t sure why, although they are concerned about mold underneath.Trump has reportedly insisted privately: “I wouldn’t do that!” and characterized the claims as “slander.” Suebsaeng reported, however, that some aides privately thought: “Uh…yeah, you know.”It’s been a painful week for the White House since Regime Change hit shelves, and the snack scandal is just the latest fallout. Months before the book was published, Trump ordered a sweeping leak hunt to identify Haberman and Swann’s sources within his administration. The effort ultimately stalled, largely because too many of the top officials tasked with finding the leakers were themselves leakers.
What do you think of the media’s portrayal of Trump’s lifestyle?
File photo: People spray water to cool down at the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Photo source – Associated Press)
The death toll in France has increased by about 1,000 more than expected since a record heat wave swept much of Western Europe on June 24, with the vast majority of victims aged 65 and older, French health authorities said on Sunday.French public health authorities said the death toll had increased by about 1,000 compared with mortality levels recorded in previous months, but stressed that the figures were preliminary and could be underestimated, AFP reported.The agency said areas under the highest level of red heat alerts were the worst affected, with 85% of excess deaths involving people aged 65 or older.
According to AFP, the largest increase in deaths was among people who died at home, particularly in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris and its suburbs.“This observation reminds us of the need for solidarity measures for people who are isolated or experience profound loneliness, including those in highly urbanized areas,” France’s public health agency said.After several days of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of France, the scorching weather began to subside across France on Sunday.
A deadly heatwave has affected much of Europe, breaking temperature records in several countries and disrupting transport, healthcare and energy systems.Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic set preliminary all-time temperature records over the weekend, while Switzerland recorded its hottest day in June.Earlier this week, France and the UK had already broken June temperature records.Scientists say heatwaves are “almost impossible” to occur without human-driven climate change, which greatly increases the likelihood of extreme nighttime temperatures.
Hospitals are overcrowded and traffic is disrupted
Paris hospitals are still under tremendous pressure during the heat wave, with nearly 3,000 people seeking treatment in public hospital emergency rooms for the second day in a row, about a third more than normal, the Associated Press reported.The city’s public hospital authority activated emergency plans at all 38 hospitals to deal with the surge.Extreme weather has also disrupted traffic across Europe.Rail services in France and Germany were affected by the heat, while German autobahns suffered road damage due to deformed asphalt.In Switzerland, the Beznau nuclear power plant temporarily shut down its reactors due to high water temperatures in the Aare River.Experts say the latest heat wave exceeds temperatures recorded during France’s devastating 2003 heat wave, which killed about 15,000 people, though health officials say improved treatment and preparedness could help keep the death toll below that level this year, the Associated Press reported.
India’s first hydrogen-powered train ran between New Delhi and Jind on Friday in a new series of trials, with engineers tracking emergency braking distances and vibrations as the project nears commercial service.
Earlier this week, a hydrogen-powered train underwent a trial run (Image source: Ministry of Railways)
The train reached a top speed of 120 km/h on the Jind-Sonipat section during testing, but its operating speed will be set at 75 km/h. The previous round of trials between Sonipat and Jind has been completed.
The Railway Board, in a letter dated May 22, approved the introduction of 10-coach train sets. Five days later, on May 27, the Ministry of Railways announced the approval but has not yet announced a date for starting passenger services.
Here’s what we know so far about the project and how the technology works:
project
The train set is a modified diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) – a type of rake train already common on India’s short- and medium-distance routes – that has been modified to run on hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel.
The retrofit was contracted by Hyderabad-based railway electronics manufacturer Medha Servo Drives, which is developing fuel cell technology in partnership with Canada’s Ballard Power Systems.
The train will be equipped with two 1,200 kW driving power carriages (DPC), and the remaining eight carriages will be passenger cars. On this basis, the railway company said it will be the longest and most powerful (2,400 kW) hydrogen-powered trainset on a broad gauge line in the world.
Railways intend to electrify much of their network, so hydrogen trains are mainly planned for routes that are difficult to electrify or involve traditional routes. Currently, the Hydrogen Heritage plan envisages only 35 such train routes.
GreenH Electrolysis, a joint venture between Spain’s H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies and GR Promotioner Group, said the hydrogenation will be handled by a plant in Jind whose 1-MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser can produce about 420-430 kilograms of hydrogen per day. GreenH Electrothesis, a joint venture between Spain’s H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies and GR Promotioner Group, built the facility under a 2023 contract with Medha.
The site has 3,000 kilograms of storage capacity and two tankers to speed up refueling.
A train can travel about 250 kilometers on one fuel cycle.
Currently, the cost is estimated to be $Rs 80 crore per train $Apart from other developments, Rs 700 million has been spent on route infrastructure. in writing People’s House Reply In December 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a fair cost comparison with conventional traction systems was not yet possible as the project and its infrastructure were still in the pilot development stage.
Mainly because it’s clean technology. Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen, with the only by-product being water vapor, so the trains have no carbon emissions when in use.
The project makes India one of the few countries, along with Germany, Japan, China and the United States, that has built or is building hydrogen-powered passenger trains. Germany’s Alstom Coradia iLint was put into commercial operation in 2018, making it the first in the world.
For Indian Railways, which is set to become a net-zero carbon emitter, electrification is a priority and hydrogen is seen as the answer to bridge the remaining gap. These include non-electrified sections, difficult terrain and heritage lines such as those in the Nilgiris, Darjeeling and Kangra Valley.
In fact, hydrogen fuel cells work on the opposite principle of electrolysis. Electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, while fuel cells combine hydrogen stored on board with oxygen drawn from the air to produce electricity and release water vapor and heat as the only by-products.
This electricity then drives the train’s traction motor, just like an electric locomotive’s motor is driven by current from overhead wires, except that the hydrogen train makes its own power source instead of using it.
The location of hydrogen tanks and fuel cells on board ships varies by design. A peer-reviewed article published in ScienceDirect in 2024 said that Germany’s Coradia iLint installed its fuel cells and storage tanks on the roofs of two cars, reasoning that hydrogen is much lighter than air and would quickly spread upward if leaked, thereby reducing the risk of explosions.
Switzerland’s Stadler has dedicated an entire carriage on its FLIRT H2 trainset to storage and fuel cells, completely isolating the equipment from the passenger cars.
Batteries are a standard part of the packaging in almost all designs, including those in India. ScienceDirect comments that they store the remaining power generated by the fuel cell and the energy recovered through regenerative braking, providing additional power during acceleration when the fuel cell cannot keep up.
Hydrogen rails are not a new technology that has been rushed into service. Alstom has been commercially operating hydrogen trains in Germany since 2018, and Stadler’s FLIRT H2 set a Guinness World Record by running 2,803 kilometers for more than 46 hours without refueling.
Green hydrogen produced by splitting water using renewable electricity is the only version of the fuel that qualifies for true decarbonization. Most hydrogen produced today is “gray”, that is, from natural gas or other traditional fuels. Producing green hydrogen at scale remains expensive, largely due to the cost of electrolysers and renewable energy sources.
Another issue is storage and compression. Hydrogen has a very low volumetric energy density and must be compressed to high pressure (typically 350-700 bar) for onboard storage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Program records, compression itself consumes approximately 6-10% of the gas’s own energy.
According to reviews in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy and PubMed Central (PMC), the small molecular size of hydrogen can also penetrate metals, a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement that can weaken the performance of gas cylinders with repeated use and is a recognized safety issue in industries that handle compressed hydrogen.
Both reviews stated that corrosion of metal storage and refueling components from long-term hydrogen exposure is a relevant, long-documented problem. That’s why new pressure vessel designs are increasingly turning to composite materials rather than just metal.
The third concern is operational pressure. India’s extreme climate and harsh duty cycles may test the resiliency of fuel cells in ways that have not yet been fully proven outside of more temperate operating environments such as Germany.
The cost-effectiveness and scalability of hydrogen-powered trains appears to be a long-standing issue. Although the technology has been around for years, it has yet to catch up with public transportation powered by traditional fuels or renewable energy.
