A 24-year-old female law student was allegedly gang-raped inside a south Kolkata law college. The shocking incident occurred within the campus premises. Police arrested three individuals — two students and a staffer affiliated with the Trinamool Congress student wing. The accused allegedly lured the victim to a room where the assault took place. One of the accused reportedly recorded the crime while others watched. The incident has sparked outrage, with student groups demanding strict action. Authorities confirmed a detailed probe is underway. The college administration has remained silent so far, while opposition parties have condemned the involvement of political affiliates. (PC: India Today)

At the June 26 SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun to advocate a “permanent solution” to the long‑standing, undemarcated 3,800 km border. He pressed for a structured, time‑bound roadmap involving disengagement, de‑escalation, formal border‑management mechanisms, and eventual demarcation. Singh also emphasized bridging the post‑2020 confrontation trust deficit and maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control. Both nations agreed to continue consultations. This marks a shift from India’s earlier stance of seeking early resolution toward pushing a definitive and lasting settlement. (PC: X)

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has admitted that Israel planned to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei during the recent conflict. Speaking to Israeli media, Katz said Khamenei “went underground” and cut communications, making the strike “unrealistic.” He compared Khamenei to Hezbollah’s Nasrallah, who was killed in 2024. Former US President Donald Trump had also warned Khamenei publicly. Katz clarified Israel aimed to “pressure, not topple” Iran’s regime. Following a ceasefire, he said no strike was currently planned. Khamenei dismissed reports of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and claimed Iran had “slapped America” with its missile retaliation. (PC: NDTV)

During the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on June 27, a male elephant was startled by loud DJ music and whistle-blowing near Desai ni Pol in Khadia, breaking formation and triggering panic. Two to three elephants joined the commotion, causing a brief stampede. At least two people were injured fleeing the scene . Authorities swiftly intervened, tranquilizing the agitated male, isolating it, and deploying female elephants to calm him down . The procession resumed with 14 elephants, and organisers banned DJ music for the remainder of the event . The incident underscores the fragility of using live animals in crowded celebrations and the importance of rapid crowd control and animal welfare measures.

A 24‑year‑old law student of South Calcutta Law College alleges she was gang‑raped between 7:30 pm and 10:50 pm on June 25, after rejecting a marriage proposal from Monojit Mishra—a former student and current TMCP leader. She says he, along with Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), forcibly confined her in the college guard room, assaulted her, filmed the rape and blackmailed her with threats, even brandishing a hockey stick. The victim resisted, begged for release, and suffered a panic attack as the main gate remained locked. Following her FIR at Kasba Police Station, all three were arrested between June 26–27 and remanded in police custody for five days. (PC: News18)

At June 25–26 defence ministers’ meeting of the SCO in Qingdao, India declined to endorse the joint communique due to the absence of any mention of terrorism, notably the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar endorsed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s stance, stressing that “when the main purpose of the organisation is to fight terrorism,” omitting it was “unacceptable.” He noted consensus failed because one country—widely believed to be Pakistan—blocked the reference, making the statement “meaningless” without unanimity. (PC: PTI)

On June 27, 2025, Puri, Odisha, witnessed the spectacular start of the annual Rath Yatra. Thousands of devotees packed the Jagannath Temple precincts to pull the massive chariots Nandighosha (Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Balabhadra), and Darpadalana (Subhadra) from the temple to the Gundicha Temple via the Pahandi procession. The route was ceremonially swept by the Gajapati King using a gold broom, symbolizing royal humility. Months of preparation preceded the event such as 3,000 kg of flowers adorned the temple entrance, vibrant folk music and dance accompanied the chariot pull and tight security. 200 police platoons, BSF, CRPF, and NSG ensured safety. Devotees chanted “Jai Jagannath” and “Hari Bol”, their fervor filling the city streets.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that during the 12-day war with Iran (June 13–25, 2025), Israel aimed to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Katz said, “We wanted to eliminate Khamenei, but there was no operational opportunity” as the Ayatollah went “very deep underground” and cut communications . He added Israel didn’t require U.S. permission and had a “green light” from President Trump to strike Iran’s nuclear program . Post-ceasefire, Katz confirmed Israel will not pursue further strikes on Khamenei, but pledged to act again if Iran resumes nuclear advancements. (PC: Reuters)

On the night of 25 June, a 24‑year‑old law student at South Calcutta Law College in Kasba, Kolkata, was allegedly gang‑raped in the campus guard room between 7:30 pm and 10:50 pm . The Kasba Police swiftly arrested three suspects: Monojit Mishra (31), a former student and Trinamool Congress student‑wing leader turned lawyer; and two current students, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20) . According to the FIR, the victim had filled exam forms earlier, was lured to the union room, then coerced and raped while being threatened and filmed . All three are in police custody until 1 July (or four days as per court order) . The NCW has taken cognisance, while intense political uproar has ensued, with the BJP accusing the TMC of encouraging impunity and the TMC promising full legal recourse. (PC: India Today)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer” arguing that 14 GBU‑57 bunker‑buster bombs obliterated key sites like Fordow. He dismissed leaked preliminary DIA assessments suggesting only a few‑month setback and accused media of biased “fake news.” Hegseth, backed by AI modeling and internal damage reviews, denied Iran relocated enriched uranium ahead of the strikes. Iranian officials offered mixed reactions: Supreme Leader Khamenei called the strikes ineffective, while Foreign Minister Araghchi acknowledged serious damage but ruled out fresh negotiations. U.S. intelligence chiefs countered the DIA leak, stating reconstruction could take years. President Trump applauded the mission and condemned critical media coverage.