At the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s global legacy of non‑violence, crediting saints and acharyas for its immortal philosophy. He issued a veiled warning to Pakistan, alluding to “those who tease us” and noting India would not tolerate meddling, referencing Operation Sindoor the nation’s military response after the Pahalgam terror attack blamed on Pakistan-backed militants. Modi praised government welfare schemes like PM Awas, Jal Jivan and Ayushman Bharat as rooted in service. He also hailed the elevation of Prakrit to classical-language status and announced a drive to digitize Jain manuscripts, as part of eradicating a “slavery mindset.”(PC: NDTV)

Manojit Mishra “Mango Da”, a 31‑year‑old former student leader of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) at Kolkata’s South Calcutta Law College, stands accused of orchestrating the brutal gang‑rape of a first‑year law student on June 25 inside the campus guard room. The victim alleges he proposed marriage, videotaped the assault, and struck her with a hockey stick, while two student accomplices—Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20) watched. Mishra had pervasive influence on campus, even after graduation, and held a contractual staff position following prior suspensions. A fourth suspect, the security guard, was also arrested. The case has sparked widespread outrage and intensified scrutiny of Mishra’s political ties. (PC: News18)

In a historic interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during a live call. Shukla, part of India’s Gaganyaan mission training in the U.S., shared his awe, saying, “India looks bigger from space than it does on the map.” PM Modi expressed national pride, calling the conversation “unforgettable” and a proud moment for 140 crore Indians. The discussion also touched on India’s strides in space exploration and the astronaut’s ongoing NASA-led ISS expedition. PM Modi emphasized India's growing global stature and technological advancement, inspiring the nation with this milestone moment.

A Russian drone strike hit a 21‑storey residential building in Odesa overnight on June 28, killing two and wounding at least 14, including three children, one in critical condition, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said. Emergency teams evacuated residents amid blaze damage. Video shows firefighters guiding people down dark stairwells. This attack is part of a recent surge in Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, occurring as stalled diplomatic efforts mean the conflict now in its nearly three-and-a-half-year phase continues unabated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke via video link on June 28 with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian aboard the ISS aboard the Axiom‑4 mission, marking a historic milestone. Modi expressed pride in Shukla’s leadership in space science and India’s growing role in global exploration. President Murmu, IAF officials and Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh lauded the mission, highlighting India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” credentials and seven indigenous microgravity experiments including studies on algae, seeds, tardigrades, muscle regeneration, and human–computer interaction. Born in Lucknow, Shukla is the first Indian on the ISS in 41 years since Rakesh Sharma. The operation emphasizes India’s renewed global space ambitions under PM Modi’s leadership. (PC:X)

All 259 of the 260 victims from the June 12 Air India AI 171 crash near Ahmedabad have now been identified, with the final passenger confirmed via DNA on Saturday night. The toll stands at 260: 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. Of these, 253 were identified through DNA and six via facial recognition; all remains have been handed over to families. The sole unidentified case prompted new DNA sampling. Gujarat health officials noted no recent recoveries, confirming the site is clear. Detailed DNA-matching involved forensic labs in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and National Forensic Sciences University. The tragic event is among India’s deadliest aviation disasters. (PC: The Hindu & Times of India)

A viral video by an Indian woman in Canada has sparked online discussion after she exposed the harsh realities of the Canadian job market. In the video, a long queue of people is seen waiting outside a job fair offering only five positions. The woman highlights the intense competition faced by international students and immigrants, countering the illusion of easily available jobs abroad. The video, captioned “Job market in Canada,” resonated with many users who shared similar experiences. The post garnered significant traction online, with over 7,700 likes. It has raised concerns about the growing struggle for employment among new immigrants in Canada despite expectations of better opportunities.

A suicide bomber drove an explosives‑laden vehicle into a Pakistani Army convoy in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on June 28, killing 13 soldiers and wounding 10 military personnel plus 19 civilians, according to an anonymous government official. The blast also destroyed nearby homes, collapsing two roofs and injuring six children. No group has claimed responsibility yet, but the region has a history of Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activity. The attack follows a marked surge in militant strikes across northwest Pakistan, where terrorism‑related deaths rose 45% in 2024, making it the second-highest globally per the Global Terrorism Index. (PC: The Times Of India & AFP)

Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET640, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Addis Ababa, made an emergency descent and landing in Mumbai early on June 28, 2025. Over the Arabian Sea at 33,000 ft, the cabin suffered depressurisation, prompting pilots to swiftly descend. The aircraft landed safely at 1:42 AM at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Medical teams attended seven passengers with decompression symptoms; one required hospitalisation, while the others were treated on-site. Such pressurisation failures are extremely rare, but pose serious risks. This incident echoes another recent mid‑air event on an Air India flight from London, raising scrutiny of cabin‑pressure systems and emergency protocols in commercial aviation. (PC: The Telegraph & Marathon Group)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6–7 during a five‑nation tour (Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Namibia). Modi is expected to push India’s Global South agenda, notably anti‑terror cooperation and economic partnerships. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin will skip the in‑person summit & join virtually while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represents Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also opting out of the summit, sending Premier Li Qiang in his stead, marking Xi’s first BRICS absence since 2013. Their absence highlights shifting dynamics within the expanded BRICS grouping. (PC: News18 & Sugarcane.org)