Fresh details have emerged in the deadly fire at Delhi's Malviya Nagar that killed at least 21 people and left several others injured. Investigations have revealed that Flourish Stay, the hotel where the blaze occurred, was licenced to operate only six rooms under the Delhi government's Bed and Breakfast scheme but was allegedly running as many as 25 rooms.   Authorities are examining possible violations of safety and regulatory norms. More than 40 people were rescued after the fire broke out on Wednesday morning. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, though initial reports suggest a possible short circuit. Several injured victims are undergoing treatment in hospitals. (PC: India Today)

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plunged deeper into crisis on Wednesday after expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee arrived at the West Bengal Assembly claiming support from 59 party legislators. Sources said the rebel camp is seeking backing from more than two-thirds of TMC's 80 MLAs, a move that could help it avoid anti-defection provisions.   The development comes less than a month after TMC's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee and fellow expelled MLA Sandipan Saha were removed from the party after alleging that signatures of several MLAs were forged on documents related to the selection of the Leader of the Opposition. TMC leaders have accused the rebel faction of attempting a "Maharashtra-style" split, while the dissidents deny any plan to break the party. (PC: X)

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks overnight, further escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The US military said it carried out self-defence strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island after what it described as Iranian attacks across the Middle East.   Iran claimed it targeted US military assets in the region using missiles and drones. Kuwait later said Iranian drones struck Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to buildings and injuring several people. Air traffic was temporarily suspended.   The US said it also intercepted Iranian missiles and drones aimed at regional targets and commercial shipping. The latest escalation comes as ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.

Russia launched one of the largest aerial assaults of the Ukraine war, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a massive overnight barrage targeting Kyiv and several other cities. Ukrainian authorities said the attack involved 656 drones and 73 missiles, with air defences intercepting a significant number of incoming weapons. The strikes killed civilians, injured many others and damaged critical infrastructure, leaving around 100,000 people without power. Dramatic footage showed multiple missile impacts in Kyiv within seconds. Russia described the operation as retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks, while Ukraine said civilian areas were heavily affected. The escalation highlights the intensifying aerial dimension of the conflict.

British MP Rupert Lowe reignited debate over the UK’s grooming gangs scandal during an emotional parliamentary speech highlighting survivor testimonies, alleged institutional failures and demands for accountability. Referring to evidence gathered during an independent inquiry, Lowe cited accounts of organised child sexual exploitation, including claims that one victim was abused by “600 or 700 different men” over three years. He also highlighted allegations of failures by police, healthcare workers, children’s home staff and local authorities to intervene. The speech follows renewed scrutiny of historical grooming gang cases in towns including Rotherham and Rochdale, where organised abuse networks were previously uncovered.

Iran’s year-on-year inflation reached 77.2% in May, the highest level since World War II, according to the Central Bank. Prices for everyday essentials, including medicine, transport and communication services, surged 113.8% from a year earlier. The economic crisis has been intensified by damage from recent airstrikes, disruption to the oil industry and a US naval blockade targeting Iranian crude exports. Tax revenues have weakened as businesses struggle, while the rial has collapsed from 32,000 per US dollar in 2015 to over 1.7 million today. Analysts warn inflation could approach 80%, raising fears of renewed nationwide protests driven by worsening living costs and public hardship. (PC: AP/PTI)

British MP Rupert Lowe reignited debate over the UK grooming gangs scandal by reading survivor testimonies in Parliament. During hearings linked to an independent inquiry, survivors described systematic sexual abuse, intimidation, racial targeting, and alleged institutional failures by police, healthcare workers, and children's homes. Lowe cited accounts alleging rape, violence, exploitation by hundreds of men, and claims that authorities repeatedly failed to intervene. Some testimonies said perpetrators used race and religion to humiliate victims. Lowe also highlighted allegations involving police officers and broader public-sector negligence. He urged lawmakers to move beyond discussion and take action, saying the inquiry report, due in coming days, could significantly impact Britain’s response.

The Centre has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta amid the ongoing controversy over the board's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 answer-sheet evaluation. The government has also set up a one-member inquiry committee headed by S Radha Chauhan, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, to examine the procurement of OSM services.   The controversy erupted after students reported blurred answer-sheet scans, missing pages and technical glitches during the review process. The issue drew political attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the selection of the private vendor. CBSE has denied allegations of irregularities and said all procurement procedures were followed. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a US-backed partial ceasefire aimed at halting attacks between the two sides. Lebanon confirmed Hezbollah accepted the proposal, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes on Beirut would stop if attacks on Israeli civilians ceased.   Despite the agreement, clashes continued in southern Lebanon overnight. Hezbollah claimed attacks on Israeli tanks, while Israel said it intercepted projectiles fired from Lebanon. The ceasefire comes amid growing regional tensions, with Iran warning that Israeli actions in Lebanon could undermine broader efforts to maintain the US-Iran truce. Fighting has killed thousands since the conflict expanded earlier this year.  

Independent UK MP Rupert Lowe has reignited debate over alleged Pak grooming gangs after presenting survivor testimonies in Parliament. Lowe said his independent investigation found organised child sexual exploitation in at least 85 areas across the UK, with many suspects identified as men of Pakistani heritage. Citing survivors' accounts, he highlighted allegations of abuse, intimidation and institutional failures to protect victims. The MP urged Parliament to act on the findings and ensure accountability for perpetrators and authorities that failed to intervene. The issue has drawn renewed attention to longstanding grooming gang scandals across the UK.   (PC: NDTV)