A West Bengal-based woman filed a complaint at Nabagram police station on June 28, accusing Padma Shri recipient Swami Pradiptanandaji (Kartik Maharaj) of repeatedly raping her between January and June 2013 at his Murshidabad ashram—after promising a teaching position ([turn0search0] ). She alleges he coerced her into an abortion at a local hospital and threatened her silence by manipulating associates to intimidate her this June ([turn0search7] ). The monk denies the accusations, calling them “conspiracy” to tarnish his reputation as an ashram leader and BJP ally. Police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation. (PC: India Today)

On May 31, a 67‑year‑old man surnamed Won doused a moving Seoul Metro Line 5 subway carriage with petrol and ignited it while traveling through an undersea tunnel, reportedly in anger over his divorce . CCTV footage shows panicked commuters fleeing; a pregnant woman slipped in the chaos. Authorities treated the act as “tantamount to terrorism.” Six people were injured, and 23, including the suspect, treated for smoke inhalation; no fatalities were reported . Won faces charges including attempted murder, arson, and railway safety violations. Engineers credited fire‑resistant materials and rapid evacuation for preventing casualties.

A new study published in Science reports that streaked grey volcanic rocks from Canada’s Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, along Hudson Bay in Quebec, are approximately 4.16 billion years old, making them potentially the oldest known intact rocks on Earth . Researchers used two independent radiometric dating methods (samarium-neodymium) that converged on the same age, resolving previous discrepancies ranging from 3.8 to 4.3 billion years . These pristine samples offer invaluable insight into the planet’s earliest crust formation, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and conditions conducive to early life . Located on tribal Inukjuak lands, the site is now protected, with plans for a provincial park to ensure ethical research and local collaboration. (PC: AP)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to dock at the International Space Station on June 26, aboard Axiom-4. On June 27, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hosted Shukla’s parents, sister, and nephew at his official residence in Lucknow, honoring the family and praising Shukla as a national inspiration for youth and India’s advancing space ambitions . Shukla’s mother praised the emotional milestone and expressed profound pride at their meeting. The mission marks a major milestone for India, with Shukla designated astronaut #634 and set to conduct 60+ experiments aboard the ISS. (PC: The Hindu)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 26 extended invitations to 534 artists and filmmakers worldwide, including Indian luminaries Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana . Other Indian invitees: filmmaker Payal Kapadia, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designer Maxima Basu, and documentary maker Smriti Mundhra . The 2025 class marks record diversity—41% women, 45% underrepresented, and 55% international—further enhancing the Academy’s inclusivity . Global stars like Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Stan, Conan O’Brien, and Jeremy Strong also joined the ranks, bringing total membership to over 11,000 voting members . Once accepted, these members can vote for the 2026 Oscars, scheduled for March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien. (PC: iDiva)

Iran on June 28 held a large state funeral in Tehran for approximately 60 individuals—including high-ranking IRGC commanders like Generals Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, alongside 14 nuclear scientists—who were killed during Israel’s 12-day air campaign, “Operation Rising Lion,” which began June 13 . Hundreds of thousands—possibly over a million—mourned across Azadi Street, chanting anti‑American and anti‑Israeli slogans . The funeral underscores the heavy toll inflicted: Iran reported over 600 deaths and 4,700+ injuries, while Israel stated 28 fatalities on its side . Tensions remain high despite a ceasefire, marking a solemn milestone in the escalating Iran‑Israel standoff. (PC: AP)

Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett on June 28 donated $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares—approximately 12.36 million—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four Buffett family charities, marking his largest annual gift since 2006 . Of this, 9.43 million shares went to the Gates Foundation; the rest were allocated to the Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, Howard G., and NoVo Foundations . This raises his total donations to over $60 billion. Post-donation, he retains a 13.8% stake in Berkshire. At age 94, Buffett plans to leave 99.5% of his estate to philanthropy, managed by his children within a decade of his death. (PC: NDTV)

In a shocking June 25 incident at South Calcutta Law College, a 24-year-old first-year student was allegedly gang-raped in the security guard’s room after being offered a prominent student-union post. Three suspects—former student and practicing lawyer Manojit Mishra (TMC student wing), and current students Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20)—were arrested within 24 hours. On June 28, police arrested a fourth individual: security guard Pinaki Banerjee (55), accused of facilitating the crime by leaving the victim locked inside and ignoring her pleas . The medical report, corroborating the survivor, confirms assault, and investigations continue amid widespread campus safety and political concerns. (PC: PTI)

Pakistan has begun reconstructing terrorist launchpads and training camps demolished during India’s May 2025 “Operation Sindoor” strikes, with active support from its military, ISI, and government . The new facilities are purportedly smaller, tech‑advanced, and hidden in dense forests along the Line of Control, designed to evade satellite, radar, and thermal detection . Rebuilt sites include Luni, Jamil Post, Umranwali, Kel, and Kotli, among others, while launchpads are being decentralized into dispersed units housing under 200 militants . Intelligence suggests this is a strategic effort to re‑establish terror infrastructure aimed at India. (PC: NDTV)

Luxury brand Prada acknowledged that sandals showcased in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection were inspired by India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals—handcrafted leather footwear from Maharashtra and Karnataka—after facing heavy criticism online for failing to attribute the design . Social media outrage, highlighted by trending #KolhapuriChappals, exposed the disparity between the ₹300–₹1,500 artisan-made originals and Prada’s ₹1.2 lakh “luxury” version . Under pressure, Prada vowed to engage with local artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, exploring fair collaboration and ethical recognition—prompting renewed discussions on cultural respect and protection of India's GI-tagged crafts. (PC: Prada)