Heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms swept across Delhi-NCR on Thursday, bringing relief from intense heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its weather warning from yellow to red alert as dark clouds, gusty winds and heavy showers affected several parts of the region.   An orange alert has been issued for Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad. Wind speeds of up to 60 kmph were recorded in some areas. The IMD has forecast more light rain, thunderstorms and lightning during the night and on Friday. The weather change comes as the southwest monsoon officially entered Kerala on Thursday, marking the start of India's rainy season. (PC: HT)

As the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a major internal rebellion following its election defeat in West Bengal, some BJP leaders are reportedly wary of the party's complete collapse. Their concern is that a weakened or fractured TMC could create political space for a revival of the CPI(M)-led Left Front and a possible Left-Congress alliance.   The TMC is battling its biggest organisational crisis since its formation, with 60 MLAs rebelling against the party leadership. Political observers say sections of the BJP fear the Left could regain lost ground by attracting former TMC supporters, similar to how the BJP benefited from Left voter support in previous elections. The development has added a new dimension to Bengal's rapidly changing political landscape.  (PC: India Today)

An Indian national was killed and 63 others were injured after drones struck a passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, causing significant damage and briefly disrupting operations. The airport had only recently reopened after a month-long closure linked to the ongoing Iran-US conflict.   Kuwaiti authorities released CCTV footage showing the moment the drones hit the terminal from multiple directions. Several passengers and airport workers were among the injured, with some reported to be in serious condition.   The Indian Embassy in Kuwait confirmed the death of the Indian citizen. While Kuwaiti officials blamed the attack on Iranian drones, Tehran denied responsibility for the strike. The incident has renewed concerns over regional security amid a fragile ceasefire.  

The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of American troops from the Iran war, marking a political setback for President Donald Trump. The measure was approved by a 215-208 vote, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support.   The resolution, which now moves to the Senate, is largely symbolic as Trump can veto it if it reaches his desk. Democrats argue that the president launched military action against Iran without congressional approval, violating constitutional war powers. The Trump administration rejects the claim and insists the conflict is effectively over. The vote reflects growing debate in Washington over the US role in the conflict and presidential war powers.  

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing one of its biggest organisational crises after losing power in West Bengal. The crisis deepened after Speaker Rathindra Nath Bose recognised 58 rebel TMC MLAs, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, as the principal opposition bloc in the Assembly. The party is also dealing with uncertainty over senior civic leaders. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim's reported resignation remains unclear, while Bidhannagar Mayor Krishna Chakraborty has stepped down, citing personal reasons.   The rebel legislators have criticised the party's leadership style and questioned the role of Abhishek Banerjee, while continuing to seek guidance from Mamata Banerjee. Amid the turmoil, TMC has dissolved all organisational committees in West Bengal and announced a major review and restructuring exercise to rebuild the party. (PC: HT)  

Several local residents emerged as heroes during the deadly fire at the Flourish Stay B&B in Delhi's Malviya Nagar that killed 21 people on Wednesday. Mohammad Afzal and other residents rushed to the spot before emergency teams arrived and spread mattresses on the street to help trapped guests jump to safety. Bedsheets from a nearby shop were also used to carry injured victims.   Waseem Raja, a Max Hospital employee, used his medical training to perform CPR and assist unconscious survivors suffering from smoke inhalation. Other trained residents joined rescue efforts alongside firefighters. A father-son duo, Riyazuddin Mansoori and Arman Mansoori, emptied their mattress shop to support the rescue operation. Their quick thinking and courage helped save several lives during one of Delhi's deadliest fire tragedies in recent years. (PC: India Today)

Indian national Tarsem Singh, 33, could face deportation from the United States after the conclusion of his criminal case linked to a fatal crash in Ohio that killed a pregnant teenager and her unborn child.   Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide. Authorities allege he led police on a high-speed chase in February before losing control of his vehicle and crashing into another car.   The victim, 17-year-old Ashlee Holmes, died from her injuries, while her unborn child also did not survive. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against Singh, who remains in custody. A jury trial is scheduled for August. (PC: The Indian Express)

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire under a US-brokered deal aimed at reducing tensions along the border. The agreement is conditional on Hezbollah completely stopping attacks against Israel and withdrawing its operatives from areas near the Israeli border.   The deal also proposes the creation of pilot security zones inside Lebanon, where only the Lebanese Armed Forces would operate. Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are expected to meet again on June 22 to continue negotiations toward a broader agreement.   The announcement came despite fresh violence, with Israeli strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks reported on Wednesday. The United States said the agreement is intended to support Lebanon's stability and prevent further escalation. (PC: BBC)

More than 700 whales and dolphins were killed during the annual grindadrap hunt in the Faroe Islands, drawing sharp criticism from animal rights groups. According to conservation organisations, 706 marine mammals, including pilot whales, white-sided dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, were killed across three separate hunts.   Activists alleged that some animals were killed without mandatory equipment, prolonging their suffering. The hunt, a centuries-old tradition in the Faroe Islands, is defended by local authorities as an important cultural practice and source of food for residents.   Animal welfare groups have renewed calls for the practice to be banned, arguing it is outdated and cruel. The killings have sparked international debate over tradition, conservation and animal welfare.  

The Southwest Monsoon officially arrived in Kerala on Thursday, marking the start of the rainy season across India. The onset came about three days later than its normal schedule, as forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).   The monsoon is expected to advance gradually across the country and cover most regions by mid-July. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala over the coming days, with parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also likely to receive significant rain.   The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture sector, with more than half of the country's cultivated land dependent on rainfall. Meteorologists linked the delayed arrival to weather systems over the western Pacific and Arabian Sea. (PC: HT)