In the latest Assembly bypolls, AAP won Gujarat’s Visavadar seat, reclaiming it after ex-MLA Bhupendra Bhayani defected to BJP. Gopal Italia defeated BJP’s Kirit Patel by over 17,500 votes. AAP also retained Ludhiana West in Punjab. Congress won Kerala’s Nilambur seat, where Aryadan Shoukath, son of veteran Aryadan Mohammed, beat CPI(M)’s M Swaraj by 11,000 votes. In West Bengal, TMC’s Alifa Ahmed led Kaliganj by over 50,000 votes, almost confirming victory. BJP retained Kadi in Gujarat. These results are a boost for AAP and Congress ahead of key state polls, despite alliance tensions within the INDIA bloc. (PC: NDTV)

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil flows, could be blocked by Iran in retaliation for U.S. strikes. Experts warn closure would spike oil prices, disrupt trade, and hurt economies like India, China, and Japan. Iran could use mines, fast boats, or submarines to enforce a blockade, but U.S. forces may respond swiftly, as seen during the 1980s "tanker war." While threats have been made before, a closure now could trigger global economic turmoil. China, Iran’s top oil buyer, is being urged to step in diplomatically. Alternative pipelines exist but can only offset 15% of the supply. (PC: BBC)

Siraj Ali Ansari, a 25-year-old engineer from Ramapali village in Bihar's Siwan district, has gone missing in Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel. Employed as a Quality Control Engineer in a petroleum firm, Siraj last contacted his family on June 17, stating he was safe but bombings were occurring just 1 km away. His phone has been unreachable since. His father and relatives have appealed to the Indian government and Siwan authorities for urgent intervention. With over 1,700 Indians evacuated under Operation Sindhu, Siraj’s family hopes he too can be safely rescued. He is the eldest of four siblings. (PC: NDTV)

Israel launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Tehran Monday, targeting key Iranian government and military sites, including the notorious Evin prison. Known for holding dual nationals and political prisoners, Evin’s entrance was hit, with surveillance footage circulating online. Israel’s defense ministry confirmed the attack, stating it aimed at punishing Iran’s leadership for striking Israeli cities. Other targets included the Revolutionary Guard’s security HQ, Basij Corps building, and the Palestine Square area. Iranian media also reported outages in Tehran after strikes on power infrastructure and claimed Israel targeted the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, previously hit by U.S. bunker-buster bombs. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Aniruddha Bera, a PhD scholar from West Bengal’s Salboni, is taking shelter in a bunker at Tel Aviv University as missile attacks continue in Israel. Since June 13, when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, Bera has relied on alert apps to reach safety within 90 seconds. Despite nearby missile strikes, he praised Israel’s warning system and said life is slowly returning to a “new normal.” Registered under India’s Operation Sindhu, he hopes to return home soon. “The Indian embassy is doing everything possible,” Bera told India Today, expressing gratitude and sharing that his family remains deeply concerned. (PC: India Today)

Iran's nuclear facility of Fordo was hit again on Monday in an Israeli strike, said the spokesperson of Qom Province's Crisis Management Headquarters, as per Tasnim news agency. Previously, A US‑Israel offensive dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer” targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites, deploying bunker‑busting bombs and Tomahawks. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, injuring 23, as Tehran’s parliament approved a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed “monumental damage” was inflicted underground. After reports of Israel striking Iran's Fordow nuclear site again on Monday, Israeli media reported, citing security sources, that the military had attacked access to the nuclear facility and not the facility itself. (PC: The Guardian)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has dispatched FM Abbas Araqchi to Moscow to urge President Putin for stronger support after the U.S.’s largest air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites since 1979 . The U.S. and Israel have floated the prospect of targeting Khamenei and pushing for regime change. Putin has condemned Israeli strikes but remained silent on U.S. actions, while offering calm mediation and continuing nuclear cooperation. Tehran is dissatisfied with Russia’s current stance and seeks undisclosed concessions. Araqchi will hand-deliver Khamenei’s letter and coordinate responses, though Putin seems cautious amid his own war in Ukraine .

A National Investigation Agency investigation has linked the April 22 Pahalgam massacre where five militants killed 26 civilians in Baisaran Valley to a long‑running militant cell infiltrating from Poonch since early 2023. The group, entering via the Dehra Ki Gali–Bufliaz corridor, carried out ambushes in Poonch late 2023 and then split into tactical teams targeting Sonmarg and Gulmarg in October. One former local operative, Junaid, was neutralised in Srinagar in November, and forensics tied his mobile data back to the cell. Intercepted communications reveal a sprawling support network. Authorities now view the Pahalgam strike not as isolated, but the culmination of a coordinated militant campaign. (PC: The Hindu, Charzan Holidays & Exotic Miles)

Iran launched approximately 15 ballistic missiles at Israel on June 23, following U.S. precision strikes days earlier targeting Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. Sirens wailed across northern Israel and explosions were reported in Jerusalem and Ashdod, prompting civilians to take shelter. The Israeli military confirmed multiple launches, with at least some missiles impacting Israeli territory. Iran framed the escalation as retaliation for U.S. intervention and warned former President Trump it would “end this war.” This marks the 11th consecutive day of intense Israel‑Iran hostilities. Regional and global leaders are urging restraint amid concerns over destabilising actions near the Strait of Hormuz and soaring oil prices. (PC: India Today)

Iran has pledged to retaliate after the United States struck three nuclear sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan alongside Israel’s ongoing campaign. U.S. President Trump hailed the strikes as a “spectacular military success”, hinting at possible regime change if Tehran fails to “make Iran great again,” despite senior officials claiming the operation targeted only Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Iran’s leadership condemned the action as a violation of international law and placed its military on alert, warning of a “proportionate response” that could include targeting U.S. forces or closing the Strait of Hormuz. Global leaders urged de-escalation while diplomatic efforts remain stalled.