The UK is enduring a prolonged heatwave, with Monday set to hit 34 °C warmer than Barbados, Jamaica, and Mexico. Since 1960, June has exceeded 34 °C only three times, with a 35.6 °C peak on 28 June 1976. This marks the fourth consecutive day above heatwave thresholds (25–28 °C), prompting amber alerts in London, East, South‑East, South‑West and East Midlands, plus yellow alerts in Yorkshire/Humber and West Midlands. Wimbledon is poised for its hottest opening day ever, surpassing its 2001 record of 29.3 °C. Tropical nights above 20 °C may continue into Tuesday. Scotland and Northern Ireland expect rain and cooler weather. (PC: Getty Images & Sky News)

At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “very strategic ally” in the Indo‑Pacific, praising President Trump’s “very good” rapport with PM Modi. She confirmed that a comprehensive India‑US trade deal is in its final stage, with announcements expected “very soon.” Talks coincide with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s attendance at the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The proposed agreement may eliminate reciprocal tariffs set to begin July 9, opening wider market access. Trump has accepted Modi’s invitation to the next QUAD summit in New Delhi, reinforcing deepening strategic and economic cooperation.(PC: Instagram)

After a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, calls are rising for Israeli PM Netanyahu to stop the Gaza war. A new poll shows two-thirds of Israelis want the fighting to end. Though Netanyahu gained support after the Iran war, many still want him to step down. Protesters in Tel Aviv demand a deal to bring home hostages held by Hamas since 2023. Former PM Naftali Bennett and others say Netanyahu has failed to lead. Donald Trump also urged a Gaza deal. Critics say Netanyahu’s long rule and Gaza failures can’t be ignored, even after success against Iran. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump will sign an order lifting sanctions on Syria to support its rebuilding after years of war. The White House said this is a step toward peace and stability. Sanctions on former Syrian leader Bashar Assad and his allies will remain. Trump earlier promised to help Syria during a May meeting with interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This order will end a national emergency from 2004 that had blocked Syria’s key institutions. The US still sees Syria as a terrorism sponsor. Meanwhile, Israel has shown interest in better ties with Syria and Lebanon, as Iran’s influence fades. (PC: AFP)

Europe is facing a record heatwave, with France placing 16 regions on red alert. Temperatures have soared above 46°C in Spain and Portugal. Italy, Germany, the UK, and Balkan countries are also under heat warnings. Schools in France are shut, wildfires have broken out, and hospitals are seeing more heatstroke cases. Rivers are drying up, and shipping is affected. The UN says climate change is making such heatwaves more common and dangerous. People are told to stay indoors, drink water, and avoid the sun. Scientists warn that global warming is turning normal heat into extreme danger. (PC: AFP)

Kolkata Police said the gangrape of a South Calcutta Law College student was planned from her first day at college. Three students and a security guard have been arrested. The accused had a history of harassing girls and filmed their crimes to blackmail victims. Police believe the June 25 assault was recorded and may have been shared. Raids are ongoing to find the videos. Over 25 students are being questioned. The college is now shut. Political tensions have also risen, with BJP leaders blaming the ruling TMC for failing to protect women on college campuses in West Bengal. (PC: PTI)

China has said the border dispute with India is “complicated” and will take time to resolve. However, it is ready to discuss border marking and peace at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The statement follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on June 26. Singh called for a roadmap and steps to lower tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry said both countries have held 23 rounds of talks and set up systems for communication. It added that China wants to keep talking and maintain peace in border areas through dialogue and cooperation. (PC: India Today)

Europe's blistering heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 46°C in Spain’s El Granado and 46.6°C in Portugal’s Mora, is now driving a surge in venomous sea creatures along Mediterranean coastlines. Marine experts report alarming rises in ocean temperatures—up to 30°C in shallow coastal waters—drawing Portuguese man o' war and venomous jellyfish closer to popular tourist beaches in Spain, Italy, and France. Red flags and closure warnings have been issued across several coastal areas. The extreme marine heat, intensified by prolonged air temperatures above 40°C across southern Europe, is reshaping marine ecosystems and increasing risks for swimmers and beachgoers during peak season. (PC: Daily Mail)

A massive explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical unit in Telangana’s Sangareddy district killed 12 people and injured 34 on Monday. The blast, which occurred around 9:20 AM, destroyed the building and left several workers critically injured. Officials say pressure buildup during material handling likely triggered the explosion. Rescue teams, including the NDRF, continue to search debris for trapped workers. PM Modi and CM Revanth Reddy expressed condolences; ex-gratia compensation was announced. The factory, contributing significantly to the company’s production, has been shut for 90 days. Panic gripped the area, with grieving families demanding updates on missing loved ones. (PC: PTI)

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Al-Baqa seafront café killed at least 20 Palestinians on Monday, according to rescuers and eyewitnesses. The café, popular with journalists and activists, was hit amid a wave of Israeli bombings across Gaza, displacing hundreds. Emergency workers retrieved bodies and searched a crater left by the blast. Strikes also hit schools sheltering civilians in Zeitoun and Al Shati camp. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 56,000 killed since October. Despite US pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli attacks continue. Eyewitnesses say evacuation alerts are frequent, with some forced to flee repeatedly without aid, food, or shelter. (PC: BBC)