Lebanese and Israeli military officials are set to meet in Washington for another round of U.S.-mediated talks aimed at preserving the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The negotiations come as Israel intensifies airstrikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs, targeting alleged Hezbollah-linked sites. Recent attacks reportedly killed civilians, including women and children, worsening tensions before the talks. Lebanese leaders have demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal and respect for sovereignty, while Israel insists operations will continue against Hezbollah threats. The United States is pushing both sides toward a longer-term security arrangement, though repeated ceasefire violations have raised fears of a broader regional conflict. (PC: Reuters)

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants with immediate effect after the team finished last in the IPL 2026 standings. The franchise confirmed that Pant himself requested to be relieved of leadership duties, and management accepted the decision. Bought for a record ₹27 crore before IPL 2025, Pant struggled both as captain and batter during his two-season stint with LSG. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons, managing only four wins in 14 matches this year. LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody said the franchise will now focus on “rebuilding and restructuring” ahead of the next season. (PC: BCCI)

The United Nations has warned that children in Lebanon are paying a devastating price as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates despite a ceasefire agreement. UNICEF said an average of 11 children were killed or injured every 24 hours during the past week amid intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut suburbs. The agency reported 77 child casualties in seven days, while attacks on hospitals and healthcare centres have worsened the humanitarian crisis. Lebanese authorities say thousands have been killed or displaced since March. UN officials urged all sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians, especially children. (PC: Reuters)

A Russian drone struck a 10-storey apartment building in Galați, eastern Romania, near the Ukraine border, injuring two people and sparking a fire. Romanian authorities said the drone was part of a wider overnight Russian attack on Ukraine and remained in Romanian airspace for several minutes before impact. Around 70 residents were evacuated as emergency teams controlled the blaze. Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets and summoned the Russian ambassador after the incident. NATO condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation and reaffirmed its commitment to defend alliance territory. Romanian officials called it the country’s most serious security incident since the Ukraine war began. (PC: Reuters)

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has expressed confidence that the proposed India-US trade agreement could be finalised in the coming weeks or months. Speaking at an event at IIT Delhi, he described India as a "trusted partner" and called the relationship between the two countries the defining partnership of the 21st century.   Gor said cooperation between India and the US is growing in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and space research. He also highlighted the TRUST initiative, aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical technologies and supply chains between the two nations. 

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after the team finished 10th in IPL 2026. The franchise confirmed that Pant requested to be relieved of leadership duties, and the decision was accepted with immediate effect.   Pant joined LSG for ₹27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He captained the team in 28 matches across two seasons and won 10 games.   LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody thanked Pant for his contribution as captain. He said the franchise will now focus on rebuilding and restructuring the team for future seasons. (PC: Creimas)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he directed the Israeli military to increase its control of Gaza from 60% to 70%. Speaking at a conference, he said the move is part of efforts to put more pressure on Hamas.   The announcement comes despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Indirect talks, backed by the United States, have remained stalled over the next steps of the peace plan.   Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued. Local health officials reported more deaths in recent days. The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, triggering the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the opening of its Class 12 post-result verification and re-evaluation portal to June 1, 2026. The board said the decision was taken to ensure a smooth and glitch-free application process for students. Students seeking verification or re-evaluation of their answer sheets will be able to apply through the Post-Result Activities portal once it becomes operational. CBSE said the extra time will help improve the system and prevent technical issues. The board has also set up a helpline and email support service to assist students with queries related to the process.

According to a report, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is set to leave the franchise after IPL 2026. Sources claimed that Pandya informed the team management of his decision during the season.   The report said the 32-year-old felt "mentally stressed and completely exhausted" after a difficult campaign. He also reportedly suffered a back injury. Mumbai Indians failed to qualify for the playoffs, adding to the disappointment.   Pandya took over as captain in 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma. Reports suggest both Pandya and the franchise have reached an understanding to part ways ahead of next season. (PC: BBCI)

India is likely to receive below-normal monsoon rainfall this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency has lowered its forecast from 92% to 90% of the long-period average rainfall.   The IMD said weak El Nino conditions are expected to develop in June and may strengthen later in the season. Northeast India is likely to receive normal rainfall, while many other regions may see less rain than usual.   The department also warned of above-normal heatwave days in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, during June. (PC: HT)