The Hindu Morning Digest: June 29, 2025

India slams Pakistan for seeking to blame it for attack in Waziristan

India blasted Pakistan on Saturday night for attempting to blame it for a suicide attack in the Waziristan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. At least 14 security personnel were killed and 25 injured in the attack. “We have seen an official statement by the Pakistan Army seeking to blame India for the attack in Waziristan on June 28,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

TMC condemns Kalyan Banerjee’s comments on Kolkata law college rape

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday disassociated itself and condemned the statements made by senior party leader and MP Kalyan Banerjee on the rape of a student at South Calcutta Law College. “The remarks made by MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra concerning the heinous crime at South Calcutta Law College were made in their personal capacities. The party unequivocally disassociates itself from their statements and strongly condemns the same. These views do not reflect the position of the party in any manner whatsoever,” the Trinamool Congress said in a social media posts.

Seven PWD officials suspended, enquiry against one retired official over Bhopal’s near 90-degree turn bridge

Seven officials, including six engineers of the Public Works Department of the Madhya Pradesh Government were suspended on Saturday, and an enquiry was ordered against a retired engineer in connection with the ‘faulty design’ of a newly-built rail over bridge in State capital Bhopal. A construction agency and the design consultant, hired for the job, have also been blacklisted for giving a “faulty design” for the project, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said in an X post. 

Brain behind Operation Sindoor, IPS Parag Jain is new RAW Chief

The Union Government on Saturday appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Parag Jain as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s external intelligence agency. A 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, Mr. Jain, will succeed incumbent R&AW chief Ravi Sinha, who is due to retire on June 30. Mr. Jain will assume office on July 1 for a fixed two-year term.

First-ever artificial rain in Delhi likely from July 4 to 11: Environment Minister

The national capital is all set for its first date with artificial rain as a trial of the cloud seeding process has been scheduled between July 4 and 11, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Saturday. “The initiative marks a historic step in controlling urban air pollution. Our aim is to provide Delhiites with clean air. That’s why we’re taking this bold step of inducing artificial rain. We are hopeful that it will bring about a meaningful change,” Mr. Sirsa told mediapersons.

What are the issues around deportation? | Explained

At least seven West Bengal residents who were pushed to Bangladesh by the Border Security Force (BSF) on suspicion of being Bangladeshis were brought back to India after the intervention of the State government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on June 25 that residents speaking in their native Bengali language are being branded as Bangladeshis in some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled States. Several people who were pushed from Assam to Bangladesh also returned as they were found to be Indians or that their citizenship cases were sub-judice.

Bihar begins Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; 2.93 crore voters asked to produce proof of birth date and place

Almost 2.93 crore voters in Bihar must produce documents establishing the date and place of their own birth as well as of their parents in the case of those born after 1987, as a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the State’s electoral rolls began on Saturday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that it has decided to start the SIR exercise across the whole country, starting with Bihar, with schedules for this to be issued separately.

Chennai-bound Air India flight returns to Mumbai due to ‘burning smell’ in cabin

A Chennai-bound Air India flight was forced to return to Mumbai on Saturday due to a “burning smell” in the cabin. The aircraft, however, landed back safely, Air India said in a statement. “Air India flight AI 639, operating from Mumbai to Chennai, on Friday, June 27, made a precautionary air-return to Mumbai due to a burning smell in the cabin,” the airline said in a statement.

G7 agrees to exempt U.S. multinationals from global minimum tax

The Group of Seven nations said on Saturday they have agreed to exempt U.S. multinational companies from a global minimum tax imposed by other countries — a win for President Donald Trump’s government, which pushed hard for the compromise. The deal will see U.S. companies benefit from a “side-by-side” solution under which they will only be taxed at home, on both domestic and foreign profits, the G7 said in a statement released by Canada, which holds the group’s rotating presidency.

Suicide car bombing in Pakistan kills 14 soldiers and wounds 25 people

A suicide car bombing in northwest Pakistan on Saturday killed at least 14 soldiers and wounded 25 people, including civilians, officials said. The attack targeted a military vehicle in North Waziristan around lunchtime despite a curfew across the tribal district to facilitate the movement of security forces, the intelligence officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.

Iran could again enrich uranium ‘in matter of months’: IAEA chief

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi says Iran likely will be able to begin to produce enriched uranium “in a matter of months,” despite damage to several nuclear facilities from U.S. and Israeli attacks, CBS News said Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the extent of the damage to the nuclear sites is “serious,” but the details are unknown. U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Iran’s nuclear program had been set back “decades.”

Rwanda, DR Congo sign peace deal in U.S. after rebel sweep

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement on Friday in Washington to end fighting that has killed thousands, with the two countries pledging to pull back support for guerrillas — and U.S. President Donald Trump boasting of securing mineral wealth “Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity,” Mr. Trump said as he welcomed the two nations’ Foreign Ministers to the White House. “This is a wonderful day.”