Construction of Bangladesh’s proposed 81-foot Lord Ram statue, set to be the country’s tallest, has been suspended after threats from radical Islamist groups. The project, located in Palashbari, Gaibandha district, was reportedly 80% complete when work was halted to maintain law and order. The decision followed online campaigns and public calls by Islamist preachers demanding the statue’s demolition. The move has triggered protests by Hindu groups and students, who say it raises concerns about religious freedom and minority rights. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the government’s commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s religious minorities. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has said the proposed agreement with Iran to end months of conflict is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if Washington is unhappy with the final terms. Speaking at the G7 Summit in France alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Trump described the framework deal as "very strong" but said the US would act if Iran failed to comply. He also claimed financial markets had reacted positively to the announcement, with oil prices falling. Trump further criticized former President Barack Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal, accusing him of trying to "bribe" Iran with cash payments. (PC: NDTV)

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with match-winning performances and major milestones. Messi scored a hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goals record, Mbappé became France’s leading scorer, and Haaland netted twice on his World Cup debut.   Now, attention turns to Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal prepare to face DR Congo. The 41-year-old star has the chance to become the first player to score in six different World Cups. Ronaldo enters the tournament with eight World Cup goals and another historic record within reach. (PC: India Today)

India is pushing for a steel export quota worth nearly $900 million in the UK market to resolve a dispute that has delayed the implementation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). New Delhi argues that Britain's planned steel import restrictions, including a sharp cut in tariff-free quotas and higher duties on excess imports, could hurt Indian steel exports despite the trade pact. India wants a quota matching its recent export levels to the UK. Officials have also raised concerns over the UK's upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), with both sides continuing negotiations to break the deadlock. (PC: The Indian Express)

Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history by scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The three goals took the 38-year-old’s World Cup tally to 16, equalling German striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament record.   Messi also became the first player to appear in six World Cups and the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. The Argentina captain reached the milestone exactly 20 years after making his World Cup debut. Defending champions Argentina opened their campaign strongly, with Messi once again proving decisive on football’s biggest stage. (PC: X)

The United States has renamed its Indo-Pacific Command back to the US Pacific Command, a move that has sparked debate in India about Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific strategy and the Quad partnership. The Pentagon said the change restores the command’s historic name, while its area of responsibility remains unchanged.   The decision comes ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit. Indian diplomats and strategic experts view the move as a sign of changing US priorities, particularly toward China. Some analysts believe it reflects a broader reassessment of US engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. (PC: HT)

Growing concerns are emerging over the future of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as Israeli nationalist groups increasingly challenge long-standing rules governing the site. The compound, known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the holiest places in both religions.   Under the decades-old Status Quo arrangement, non-Muslims may visit the site but are not allowed to pray there. However, some Israeli politicians and activists have openly prayed at the compound and called for greater Jewish control. Palestinian, Jordanian and international officials warn that any change could trigger serious regional tensions and threaten stability in Jerusalem. (PC: BBC)

India’s southwest monsoon has become increasingly uneven, with longer dry spells interrupting periods of heavy rainfall, according to recent weather analyses. While total seasonal rainfall may appear normal, satellite data shows rain is falling over shorter periods and fewer days, creating challenges for agriculture and water management.   Experts warn that the growing influence of climate change and the possible return of El Niño conditions could make rainfall patterns more erratic this year. Several regions have already reported below-normal rainfall despite the monsoon’s arrival. Scientists say longer dry gaps between rain events could affect crop sowing, groundwater recharge and overall farm productivity. (PC: HT)

A 2013 diplomatic standoff between India and the United States has resurfaced amid debate over New Delhi’s response to the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman. In 2013, India took several retaliatory measures, including removing security barricades outside the US Embassy, after diplomat Devyani Khobragade was arrested and searched in New York.   In June 2026, three Indian merchant sailors were killed during a US naval operation. India lodged a strong diplomatic protest and summoned a senior US diplomat. However, critics have questioned whether the response matched the firmness shown during the 2013 dispute.  

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has alleged that Reliance was involved in disrupting access to Telegram services for some users outside India during the platform’s temporary restriction in the country. Durov made the claim while criticising India's decision to block Telegram over concerns related to the NEET-UG exam leak controversy.   He argued that the ban affected more than 150 million Indian users and failed to stop the spread of leaked content, which simply moved to other platforms. Indian authorities have defended the temporary restriction as a necessary step to prevent exam-related fraud. Reliance has not publicly responded to the allegation. (PC: The Hindu)