Monsoon hit North India early, reaching Delhi, Haryana, western UP, and Rajasthan on June 29—nine days ahead of schedule. Delhi‑NCR saw scattered light to moderate showers across Pitampura, Karawal Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Dwarka, IGI Airport, and nearby areas, with gusts up to 50 km/h extending into Noida. In Uttarakhand, a red alert suspended the Char Dham Yatra; pilgrims are halted at key transit points and those at shrines are being brought back. A cloudburst near Silai Band, Barkot, triggered a landslide at a hotel construction site, burying nine labourers. Rescue operations continue amid heavy rain. Himachal Pradesh faces flash‑flood risks; Pandoh Dam gates opened to release 36,000 cusecs of water. (PC: India Today & Telegraph India)

A Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA, Madan Mitra, sparked outrage over his comments on the rape of a 24-year‑old law student at South Calcutta Law College, suggesting the crime “could have been avoided” if she hadn’t gone alone or informed someone. He later clarified and condemned the act, stating the accused—who filmed and gang‑raped the victim in a guard room—are no longer associated with TMC. The party officially distanced itself, calling the remarks “personal,” and reaffirmed zero tolerance for crimes against women. A five‑member SIT led by ACP Pradip Ghosal is probing the case. With four arrests made, intense public and political backlash continues.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a public apology after a tragic stampede during the Jagannath Yatra in Puri claimed three lives and injured several others. The incident occurred at the entrance of the Gundicha temple when devotees rushed in amidst inadequate crowd control measures. CM Majhi expressed deep regret and announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also ordered a high-level probe and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. The mishap raised serious concerns about crowd management during large-scale religious events. Police and temple authorities are under intense scrutiny post the disaster. (PC: Education News & PTI)

Simran Simran, 24, flew from India to New Jersey on June 20, 2025, for an arranged marriage. A few days later, on Wednesday, she was reported missing. Surveillance footage shows her calmly checking her phone in Lindenwold, wearing gray sweatpants, a white T‑shirt, black flip‑flops and diamond earrings. She’s 5′4″, about 150 lb, with a forehead scar. Investigators noted she speaks no English, has no U.S. relatives, and her international phone works only on Wi‑Fi. Authorities are exploring whether the marriage was genuine or simply a means to enter the United States. Police have been unable to contact her family in India and urge anyone with information to contact Det. Joe Tomasetti. (PC: NDTV)

A cloudburst struck the Silai Band–Barkot‑Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand early Sunday, triggering flash floods and a landslide at an under‑construction hotel workers’ camp. Of the 19 labourers present, nine remain missing while rescuers saved ten. Teams from police, NDRF, SDRF, revenue and PWD are conducting extensive search operations despite the difficult terrain. The landslide damaged approximately 10 m of the Yamunotri National Highway, disrupting traffic. The IMD issued a red alert for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across Uttarakhand through Monday, prompting suspension of the Char Dham Yatra. Authorities, including CM Pushkar Dhami, urge public vigilance as rescue efforts intensify. (PC: The Times Of India)

Pakistan has begun rebuilding terrorist launchpads and training camps destroyed in India’s May 7 “Operation Sindoor.” Intelligence reports, notably via NDTV, indicate support from the Pakistan Army, ISI, and interim government, with reconstruction underway in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir and Punjab regions. The new infrastructure reportedly uses smaller, covert bases housing fewer than 200 operatives to avoid detection. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warns IMF funds may fuel terror rebuilding efforts, urging a reassessment of international financing. These developments follow the Indian strikes targeting nine camps linked to Jaish‑e‑Mohammed, Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, which killed over 100 militants and several civilians. (PC: The Economic Times & The New Indian Express)

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has defended militant actions in Kashmir, arguing that what India labels “terrorism” is actually a legitimate struggle under international law. In a high‑profile speech at the Pakistan Naval Academy, he described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and insisted Hindus and Muslims are fundamentally separate reviving the two‑nation theory. His statements preceded the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, carried out by TRF, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which killed 26 civilians. Indian intelligence flags Munir’s rhetoric as a possible catalyst. Tensions escalated: India launched “Operation Sindoor” in retaliation on May 7, and Pakistan vowed to respond. Analysts warn his hardline posture amplified through military-intelligence influence risks deeper India–Pakistan conflict. (PC: India Today)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has categorically rejected the Pakistan Army’s claim that India orchestrated the June 28 suicide car‑bombing in North Waziristan, which killed 13 Pakistani soldiers and injured others including civilians. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal denounced the allegation as “deserving of contempt” on X, stressing it was baseless. The attack involved a bomber driving an explosive‑laden vehicle into a military convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan’s Inter‑Services Public Relations identified Fitna‑al‑Khawarij as the perpetrators, while no one has claimed responsibility. The explosion also wounded 10 military personnel and 19 civilians. India’s firm denial underscores the deep mistrust and recurring accusations in India‑Pakistan relations. (PC: File Photo)

Three devotees died and over 50 were injured in a stampede like incident outside Puri’s Gundicha Temple during the early hours (around 4–5 AM) of Sunday’s Rath Yatra festival. The crowd surged as the deities’ chariots reached Saradhabali, with witnesses saying a ritual vehicle entered the throng amid inadequate police presence. Fatalities include Basanti Sahu, Premakant Mohanty and Pravati Das. Several injured remain hospitalized, some in critical condition. Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said CM Majhi has ordered a probe and strict action. The chariots had reached the temple the previous day; the planned evening procession continues amid heightened security concerns. (PC: SOTC & The Indian Express)

In a dominant performance at Trent Bridge, India defeated England by 97 runs in the first women’s T20I of the series. Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front, scoring a breathtaking 112 off 62 balls—her maiden T20I century. This innings made her the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three international formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. India posted a commanding total of 210/5, their second-highest in T20Is. Debutant spinner Shree Charani impressed with figures of 4/12, dismantling the English batting line-up. England crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 113 in 14.5 overs. (PC: Reuters)