Fri Jun 27 13:28:44 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

This news briefing from The Hindu, dated June 27, 2025, covers a range of national and international issues. Key stories include the arrest of three individuals in connection with a gang rape at a Kolkata law college, India’s unsuccessful push for a terrorism reference at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting due to objections from an unnamed member (likely Pakistan), and ongoing negotiations with the U.S. for a “mini trade deal” facing hurdles over GM crops and tariffs. Other notable news includes a police raid on an illegal old-age home in Uttar Pradesh revealing deplorable conditions, the BJP restarting its internal election process, Congress party’s efforts to empower the tribal community, leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s readiness to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, arrests made in connection with the Assam blasts, a fatal stabbing in Uttar Pradesh, deadly flash floods in Pakistan, and a Bangladeshi investigation into alleged election irregularities.

**News Article:**

**India Focus: Gang Rape Arrests, Trade Talks Stalled, and Regional Instability**

**New Delhi, June 27, 2025** – A wave of incidents, both domestic and international, have dominated Indian headlines today. Police in Kolkata have arrested three suspects in connection with the gang rape of a law student within her college premises. The horrific crime has sparked outrage and renewed calls for improved campus security.

On the international stage, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed India’s disappointment after its attempt to include a reference to terrorism in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting outcome was blocked, reportedly by Pakistan.

Trade talks with the United States are also facing challenges. Negotiators are in the U.S. trying to finalize a “mini trade deal” by the July 8 deadline. Key sticking points remain the entry of genetically-modified (GM) crops and cow milk into India, as well as the removal of U.S. reciprocal tariffs.

Domestically, authorities raided an illegal old-age home in Uttar Pradesh, uncovering appalling conditions and rescuing 42 elderly residents. The BJP has announced the resumption of its internal elections, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged to empower the tribal community within his party. Kanhaiya Kumar has also stated he’ll contest in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls if the party calls on him.

In Assam, police claim to have apprehended all suspects involved in planned bombings, following an explosion in Bokakhat last week. Further west, a teenager was murdered in Uttar Pradesh.

Regionally, flash floods in northwest Pakistan, triggered by pre-monsoon rains, have claimed at least eight lives, bringing the nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents to 18. Bangladesh has initiated an investigation into allegations of irregularities in past general elections.

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