UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanded an independent probe after Palestinians were killed while queuing for food near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation centre in Rafah on Sunday. Witnesses alleged Israeli troops opened fire; the Red Cross hospital logged 179 casualties, including 21 deaths, while Hamas-run Civil Defence put fatalities at 31. Israel’s army denied shooting civilians, claiming only warning shots 1 km away and accusing Hamas of spreading “false allegations”. GHF also dismissed the reports as “outright fabrications”, saying no incident occurred at its site. UN rights chief Volker Türk called the scramble for aid “unacceptable” and “dehumanising”, urging accountability for civilian victims there. (PC: AFP)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are set to clash in the IPL 2025 Final on June 3 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, marking a guaranteed new champion. It’s RCB’s 18th attempt and Kohli’s fourth final, chasing a fairytale finish to his legendary career. Meanwhile, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer seeks his second title with a third team, having led an all-rounder-powered squad to the final. With cloudy skies and a tricky pitch expected, both teams—strong in chases—will battle nerves and conditions for IPL glory in what promises to be a historic night. (PC: India Today)

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested for a suspected terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where he allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" and set people on fire, injuring eight. The FBI revealed Soliman had plotted the act for a year and had overstayed his B2 visa after filing for asylum in 2022. Authorities confirmed he was undocumented, and video shows his own clothes caught fire during the incident. U.S. leaders condemned the attack—Senator Schumer labeled it "antisemitic terror," while Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed shock. Soliman is expected to appear in court today as the investigation continues. (PC: BBC)

Megha Vemuri, MIT’s 2025 class president and an Indian-American student, was barred from attending her graduation after delivering an unsanctioned pro-Palestinian speech. Vemuri wore a keffiyeh and condemned the war in Gaza and MIT's ties to Israel during the OneMIT Commencement. The university stated she misled organizers and disrupted the ceremony, violating guidelines. Though she will receive her diploma by mail, Vemuri criticized MIT for punishing her without due process. Civil rights group CAIR condemned the action. The incident adds to rising tensions on U.S. campuses amid Gaza protests and ongoing debate over free speech and institutional accountability. (PC: The Hindu)

Mount Etna, Italy’s and Europe’s most active volcano, erupted on Monday, unleashing a dramatic pyroclastic flow and sending plumes of ash thousands of feet into the air. Italy’s national volcano monitoring agency confirmed the eruption from the central crater of the Sicilian giant. Despite its intensity, no damage or evacuations were reported, and Catania airport remained operational. Etna’s near-constant activity continues to fascinate scientists and attract tourists. Volcanologists are monitoring the event using seismic tools and drones, watching for potential air traffic disruption due to ash. The eruption highlights the raw power of Earth’s geology beneath one of Italy’s iconic landmarks. 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading an all-party Indian delegation in Brazil, criticized China for shielding Pakistan-backed terrorist groups at the UN. In a discussion with Brazilian diplomat Celso Amorim, Tharoor took a veiled swipe, saying, “Your friend in China” helped remove references to the Resistance Front—a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy—from a UNSC statement. He stressed the need for India and Brazil to secure permanent UNSC seats. Tharoor also addressed the Colorado terror attack, expressing concern and relief that no lives were lost. The delegation heads to the US next, advocating for global counterterrorism and Security Council reform. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul ended without a breakthrough, with both sides agreeing only to a prisoner exchange involving the sick, wounded, and those under 25. Ukraine demanded a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which Russia rejected, offering instead a limited local truce. Ukrainian negotiators expect Russia’s full response by the end of June and pushed for direct presidential talks. Russia also pledged to return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers. With Moscow still occupying 20% of Ukrainian territory, hopes for a swift resolution remain slim as the war grinds on into its third year. (PC: BBC)

Ukraine and Russia held a second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, just a day after Kyiv launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russian airbases. The hour-long talks focused on a potential ceasefire and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. Ukraine’s 14-member delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Russia’s side was headed by top Putin advisor Vladimir Medinsky. The drone barrage reportedly destroyed 40 Russian warplanes across four distant bases, causing damages exceeding $2 billion. President Zelenskyy praised the operation as “brilliant,” suggesting it may pressure Russia into serious diplomacy after months of stalemate. (PC: News18)

In a groundbreaking special operation, Ukrainian forces launched over 100 drones from disguised shipping containers, striking multiple Russian airbases in a coordinated assault. This unprecedented drone raid destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, severely crippling Russia’s air capabilities in the region. The operation, hailed as one of the largest and most sophisticated drone attacks in modern warfare, showcased Ukraine’s growing technological and tactical edge. Experts compare the scale and surprise of the strike to Russia’s own “Pearl Harbor” moment. The attack underscores the evolving nature of warfare where drones redefine the battlefield’s dynamics. Russia’s military faces significant setbacks. (PC: India Today)

Weeks after India's Operation Sindoor strikes dismantled terror hubs in Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has resurfaced at its Muridke headquarters. Fresh visuals accessed by intelligence sources show cadres holding Friday prayers in the damaged prayer hall once used by Hafiz Saeed and his son. “This is not the end of their operations,” warned a senior official, adding LeT is now using the destruction to raise funds abroad. Pakistan’s minister has pledged to rebuild the site. Meanwhile, top LeT commander Saifullah Khalid, accused of masterminding the April 22 Pahalgam attack, was seen at a Kasur rally vowing to “die as martyrs.” (PC:  News18)