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)

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has joined top Esports team Team Liquid ahead of the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, where chess debuts as a competitive title. Magnus Carlsen, already part of Team Liquid, welcomed him saying, “Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no ‘I’.” Hikaru Nakamura hailed him as a “rare gem.” Praggnanandhaa will compete in the Last Chance Qualifiers. Other Indian chess stars—Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G), Nihal Sarin, and Aravindh Chithambaram—have also signed with Esports teams. The event will host 200 teams and 2,000 players across 24 titles with a record $70 million prize pool. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iran has ruled out resuming diplomatic talks with the US unless Washington pledges to halt further military strikes. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—undermined negotiations. He demanded clarity on whether such “acts of aggression” would continue during dialogue. The US has reportedly signaled it does not seek regime change. Iran insists on its right to uranium enrichment, calling demands for “zero enrichment” unjust. Meanwhile, the UN’s Rafael Grossi warned Iran could resume uranium production within months. Talks remain frozen since Trump exited the 2015 nuclear deal. (PC: NDTV)

Wimbledon 2025 has kicked off with record-breaking heat, as the Met Office reported the hottest opening day in the tournament’s history. Provisional data showed temperatures reaching 29.7°C at Kew Gardens, surpassing the previous record of 29.3°C. The scorching heat made conditions tough for players and fans alike on Monday. Organisers implemented additional hydration and cooling measures to support athletes and spectators during the extreme heat. The unusually hot weather follows a broader pattern of high summer temperatures across the UK. The Met Office is continuing to monitor conditions as the tournament progresses over the next two weeks. (PC: PA)

Brazil has expressed interest in India’s Akash air defence system following its successful deployment during Operation Sindoor. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brazil for the BRICS Summit from July 5–8, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed discussions on defence cooperation, including Akash, Garuda artillery guns, and Scorpene-class submarine maintenance. Operation Sindoor saw India repel aerial attacks from Pakistan using Akash and other systems. India’s swift response with indigenous defence platforms reportedly impressed Brazil. The visit is part of Modi’s five-nation tour, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, focusing on bolstering strategic and defence partnerships. (PC: News18)

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has once again dog-whistled support for extremism, calling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir a “legitimate struggle.” Speaking at a naval event in Karachi, Munir claimed Pakistan would always back Kashmiris' “right to self-determination” and warned India of a “befitting response” to any future attacks. He also called Pakistan a “net regional stabiliser” and cited past conflicts like Balakot and Operation Sindoor. Munir accused India of suppressing the Kashmiri movement and vowed to continue efforts against terrorism, while India maintains that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of the country. (PC: India Today)

A 24‑year‑old first-year law student at South Calcutta Law College was allegedly gang‑raped on June 25 by ex-student Manojit Mishra and two senior students. The medical report confirms violent rape with bite marks and nail scratches . CCTV footage shows the survivor being dragged into the guard’s room . Two accused recorded the assault on their phones, using the footage to blackmail her . Forensics teams have recovered the hockey stick, DNA samples, and clothing matching CCTV visuals . A nine-member SIT is investigating, and college authorities have suspended classes and taken disciplinary action. (PC: PTI)