India launches ‘Op Amistad’ to aid quake-hit Venezuela; sends relief material, medical assistance
Under the ‘Operation Amistad’, launched by India to offer humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Venezuela, two IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying relief supplies and a 41-member rescue team departed on Friday to assist the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in that country. “India stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and the people of Venezuela during this difficult period,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, as the human toll of the disaster climbed to at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing.
U.S. strikes Iran to respond to attack on ship that Trump says violated ceasefire
The U.S. struck Iran in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It’s the most significant test yet of an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump said the drone attack violated the ceasefire. The strikes came shortly after Mr. Trump told reporters, “You’ll find out,” whether the U.S. would respond.
Pune fort murder: CM Fadnavis assures justice to victim’s kin, agrees to fast-track trial
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the family of Ketan Agarwal, who was allegedly pushed to death from Lohagad Fort by his fiancee and her lover, that the government would ensure strict punishment to those responsible and spare no effort in securing justice. Mr. Fadnavis also accepted the Agarwal family’s demand to try the case in a fast-track court. Ketan’s father, Vishal Agarwal, met the CM in Pune and sought justice for his son.
Kerala liquor policy to be decided after talks with coalition parties, says Revenue Minister
Kerala Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said any policy decision on a tax cut for low-alcohol beverages will be taken only after discussions within the ruling UDF and with the Congress leadership. His remarks come amid controversy in Kerala over the government’s proposal in the 2026 Revised Budget to cut tax for low-alcohol beverages. The Budget proposed a 120% sales tax on drinks containing 0.5 to 10% alcohol by volume and 175% on those containing more than 10% and up to 20%.
Punjab border residents oppose Himachal entry tax; Nihang Sikhs warn of renewed protest
Residents living along Punjab’s State boundary with Himachal Pradesh, including traders, truck operators and taxi drivers, have united under the banner of the ‘Sangarsh Morcha’ to oppose Himachal Pradesh’s vehicle entry tax. A faction of Nihang Sikhs has also renewed its threat to revive its agitation against the levy, which they say continues to affect daily life in the region. Opposing the vehicle entry tax, members of the Sangharsh Morcha have been holding intermittent demonstrations over the past few months near Gara-Maura, twin villages on the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border where a toll barrier is situated on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali National Highway, demanding a complete rollback of the levy on out-of-State vehicles entering Himachal Pradesh.
Middlemen offer Iranian oil to Indian refiners after U.S. waiver, sources say
Several middlemen have offered Indian refiners discounted Iranian oil as Tehran looks to expedite sales after Washington’s temporary sanctions waiver, Indian refining sources said. The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, opening a narrow window for renewed energy trade.
Odisha govt. suspends four senior officials for 1,678 mistakes in new school textbooks
The Odisha government placed four senior officers, including former director of State Council of Education, Research and Training (SCERT) Manoj Padhi under suspension and took disciplinary action against six persons, holding them responsible for over 2,000 mistakes in textbooks being taught in Classes 1 to 8. The action was taken following the submission of an inquiry report by a committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to examine errors in school textbooks. While teachers pointed out errors totalling over 2,100 in textbooks printed for the 2026-27 academic year, the government acknowledged 1,678 mistakes.
Government to amend NDPS Act to plug loopholes exploited by narco syndicates: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre is going to amend the NDPS Act to plug all loopholes exploited by narco syndicates and underlined the need for a ruthless approach towards drug peddlers and suppliers. Addressing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Friday (June 26), Mr. Shah asked the States to submit their suggestions to the Centre regarding the proposed amendments being brought by the Finance Ministry to effectively plug the existing loopholes.
SEBI rejects Anil Ambani settlement request over Reliance Infrastructure
India’s financial markets regulator has rejected applications by industrialist Anil Ambani and his corporate group to settle allegations of misusing almost $700 million of company funds, documents reviewed by Reuters show. The Securities and Exchange Board of India last week rejected the requests over allegations that Ambani and Reliance Infrastructure were involved in improperly routing ₹65.26 billion to entities related to controlling shareholder Ambani, the documents show.
Those who target schools and children with impunity must be held into account: India tells UNSC
India has called for bringing to account those who target schools and children with impunity, underscoring that the protection of children without accountability is incomplete. “Education is a right that should endure in times of conflict. It is a right whose fulfilment is among the most powerful contributions to lasting peace. India remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting children in armed conflict and to upholding their right to learn, to grow, and to realise their full potential,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said.
Death toll in Kolkata warehouse collapse rises to 16
With five more workers reported dead in Kolkata’s Taratala warehouse collapse, the death toll has increased to 16. Three people rescued from the accident site on Friday morning were declared dead at the hospital. Two workers succumbed to injuries at a State-run health facility over the past 24 hours. According to the police, 33 people have been rescued from the accident site, of whom 16 workers have died, and 17 are being administered treatment in a State-run health facility.
Supreme Court lays to rest 30-year-old case of man’s death over a ₹500 watch
A fatal scuffle over a ₹500 watch between neighbours led to a nearly 30-year-old criminal case, which finally drew to an end in the Supreme Court due to death, old age and exhaustion. The top court Bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan closed criminal proceedings in the culpable homicide case after noting that two of the three accused persons have died during the pendency of the appeal, the remaining one is well over 60 years of age and it has been three weary decades of litigation since the deceased Padam Singh fell into a dry canal during the scuffle and died from his injuries.
AMMA crisis: actor Ansiba fires fresh salvo through FB post, lodges police complaint against alleged victimisation
Days after a stormy annual general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) that culminated in the resignation of the entire executive committee and the exit of president Shwetha Menon and vice-president Lakshmipriya from the organisation’s primary membership, former joint secretary Ansiba Hassan has fired a fresh salvo through a Facebook post. Ms. Hassan, whose resignation and public statements against her former colleagues snowballed into the premature resignation of the committee, said she has lodged a petition with the Palarivattom police against her alleged victimisation.
Small aircraft crashes into Beijing’s tallest building, eyewitnesses say
An aircraft about the size of a car crashed into Beijing’s tallest building, CITIC Tower, on Friday (June 26, 2026), two bystanders told Reuters, as police closed off roads around the skyscraper and stopped passersby from filming the scene. The building, known as CITIC Tower or China Zun, is a 108-storey skyscraper in Beijing’s central business district. It is the headquarters of the state-owned conglomerate CITIC Group. Two glass panels on a high floor were damaged
Iran deal grants access to nuclear inspectors, says IAEA chief
The interim U.S.-Iran peace accord gives U.N. nuclear inspectors access to Iran, the watchdog’s top official said, after Tehran indicated key sites would remain off-limits until a final deal with Washington was reached and sanctions lifted. Iran has not informed the watchdog how much of its enriched uranium survived U.S. and Israeli attacks or where it is.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government imposes smartphone ban on government officials
Afghanistan‘s Taliban government has ordered a nationwide ban on civil servants’ smartphone use, a military court order showed, prompting warnings from rights activists that the move could further restrict access to information. The court order seen by Reuters states that smartphone use by “all officials of the military and civilian institutions, including judges” will be prohibited from June 16.
Radha Yadav ready to put the fielding woes behind her
Radha Yadav has a new favourite. It is her teammate. She is all praise for the fellow practitioner of left-arm spin, Shree Charani, the new World No. T20I bowler and leading wicket-taker at the World Cup. “I have learnt so much from her,” said Radha, who took three wickets to help India score a must-win against Bangladesh at Old Trafford in Manchester. “I see her in the nets; she does everything quietly and nails it in each session.”
Published – June 27, 2026 06:49 am IST
