A 20-year-old Indian national, Varun Batchigari, has been arrested in Germany after allegedly strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, to death in Tucson, Arizona. Salazar, a college student, was found unresponsive with signs of trauma inside her apartment near the University of Arizona on Thursday after her family requested a welfare check. Police suspect Batchigari of first-degree murder. Investigators believe he fled Tucson after the killing and travelled to Germany while attempting to return to India. Detectives also suspect he took Salazar’s phone and credit cards and sent several messages to her mother. German authorities arrested Batchigari at an airport, according to US media reports. (PC: Gofundme and Youtube/ Varun Batchigari)

Russia has proposed exploring a railway route that could eventually connect the country with India and the Indian Ocean. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Russia should consider alternative land routes to reduce dependence on key sea routes. One possible route could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. Khusnullin said Russia would consider any route that provides access to India. The proposal is still at an early stage. There is no confirmed train service, ticket price or launch date. If developed, the route could improve trade and transport links between Russia, India and other countries in the region.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point Gaza peace plan. Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed.” Hamas has said it is ready to discuss the plan but wants Israel to end its military actions and withdraw from Gaza. The plan calls for Hamas to disarm, Israeli troops to leave Gaza and reconstruction to begin. Netanyahu said some parts of the plan were acceptable, while others were not. He said Israel was discussing the next steps with US officials. The rejection has created another challenge for Trump’s Gaza peace efforts.  

The UK has broken its record for the number of days with temperatures of 30°C or higher in a year. Frittenden in Kent reached 30.6°C on Sunday, taking the total to 35 days in 2026. The previous record was 34 days, set in 1995. Forecasters expect temperatures to rise to 36°C in parts of East Anglia and southeast England next week. Health alerts have been issued across several parts of England. The hot weather has also increased drought and wildfire risks. Meanwhile, parts of northwest Scotland received more than 100mm of rain over two days, causing a sharp weather contrast.  

A fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia, Canada, has doubled in size and forced more than 20,000 people to leave their homes. The Bald Range fire has spread across more than 136 square kilometres near Summerland and Peachland. British Columbia has declared a state of emergency as the fire continues to grow. Officials said the flames are so intense that they are creating their own weather systems and lightning. Some homes and properties have been destroyed. Several people were trapped and had to be rescued. Residents of care homes, including senior citizens, were also moved to safer areas. Authorities continue to battle hundreds of wildfires across Canada.  

Jharkhand Police clarified a viral video showing security personnel carrying what appeared to be a pellet gun. Police said, “What is being mistaken for a pellet gun is actually a paintball gun.” The gun fires soft, coloured balls to identify troublemakers, officials said. The clarification came as students prepared to march to the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday. Student leader Kunal said, “Our Vidhan Sabha gherao will continue peacefully.” Students are demanding a CBI probe into alleged exam irregularities. The government has offered a judicial inquiry instead. Meanwhile, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of three JPSC members.  

Three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission resigned on Sunday amid ongoing student protests over alleged exam irregularities. Ajita Bhattacharya, Jameel Ahmed and Anima Hansda submitted their resignations to Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar. The Governor accepted their resignations following a recommendation from the state government. Student protests have continued for nearly two weeks over recruitment exams conducted by JPSC and JSSC. The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination but students are also demanding the cancellation of the JSSC CGL exam. Minister Sudivya Sonu said the government accepted 98 per cent of their demands. Students said their protest will continue.  

US President Donald Trump was reportedly willing to end the West Asia conflict without a nuclear deal with Iran if Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump had reportedly discussed declaring victory if the key waterway reopened. However, Iran later made new demands. Tehran wants billions of dollars in compensation, the withdrawal of US troops from the region and an end to the US naval blockade. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the strait would remain closed until the demands are accepted. The situation has narrowed Trump’s options as tensions continue and global trade faces risks.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s medal winners from the 2026 Commonwealth Games and shared a special video with them. India won 39 medals at the Games in Glasgow, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals. India finished fourth on the medal table, behind Australia, England and Scotland. Boxing was India’s strongest sport, with 10 medals, including seven golds. Athletics brought 16 medals, while weightlifting won eight. In the video, boxer Sakshi Choudhary praised PM Modi after their meeting. Modi told the athletes, “Jo khelega vo khilega,” and urged them to keep cheering for India.  

Indian badminton player Ashmita Chaliha created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters women’s singles title. The 26-year-old defeated China’s fourth-seeded Han Qian Xi 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the final. Ashmita lost the first game but made a strong comeback in the next two games. She had struggled with the court conditions early in the match. Ashmita returned to competition in May after a three-month injury break. She had also reached the quarterfinals at the China Masters and Malaysia Masters. The win is expected to take her into the world’s top 40.