Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reviewed India’s petroleum supply amid escalating Israel–Iran tensions. He confirmed India is “well‑positioned” to meet its fuel requirements, crediting PM Modi’s diversified import strategy and proactive government planning. The minister met with officials from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL to reassess stock levels and confirm reserves. India now explores offshore prospects, with promising finds in the Andaman Sea potentially a “Guyana moment” enabled by opening 1 million km² of previously restricted sedimentary basins. Only 8 % of India’s total 3.5 million km² basin has been explored; current exploration targets about 42 billion tonnes of oil‑gas equivalent. Although offshore wells cost US $100 million each, state-owned ONGC has drilled historic numbers this year.

Punjab-based YouTuber and influencer Kanchan Kumari aka “Kamal Kaur Bhabhi” or “Queen” was found strangled inside a locked car on the Adesh Medical University campus in Bathinda. Her alleged killer, radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh Mehron, fled to the UAE soon after the June 9 murder; two associates, Jaspreet and Nimratjit Singh, have been arrested. The motive appears rooted in moral policing targeting her bold content. On June 17, Giani Malkit Singh, head granthi of Akal Takht, justified the killing, claiming obscene content defames the Sikh religion, sparking widespread criticism. Meanwhile, other influencers, including Deepika Luthra, have received threats and sought police protection.

Air India’s first London-bound flight from Ahmedabad since the AI 171 crash, which killed 274 people last week, was cancelled on Tuesday due to a technical snag. The replacement aircraft, AI 159—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—was grounded minutes before takeoff. This marks the fourth technical issue involving Air India aircraft in the past 24 hours. Another London-Amritsar flight was also cancelled, and flights from San Francisco and Hong Kong faced similar setbacks. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the AI 171 crash, with experts suggesting dual engine failure as a possible cause. Air India has promised full refunds and accommodations. (PC: India Today)

India’s next population Census will be conducted in 2027, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced. For the first time, caste enumeration will be part of the exercise. The Census will be held in two phases—House Listing and Population Enumeration—with digital tools and self-enumeration options. The reference date is March 1, 2027, except for Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it is October 1, 2026. Administrative boundaries are now frozen. The pre-test phase will assess mobile app usage. Over 34 lakh personnel will participate. The NPR update has not been confirmed. Amit Shah recently reviewed preparations. (PC: The Hindu)

An Air India flight (AI 9695) from Delhi to Ranchi returned mid-air due to a suspected technical issue on June 16. The aircraft took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 4:25 pm and was scheduled to land at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport at 6:20 pm. Air India Express confirmed the aircraft was cleared after inspection and resumed operations. This marks the second such incident in a day, following a similar glitch on AI315 from Hong Kong to Delhi. These incidents come amid intensified scrutiny after the fatal crash of AI-171, which killed over 270 passengers earlier this month. (PC: News18)

India could be on the verge of a massive offshore oil discovery in the Andaman Sea, potentially holding 184,440 crore litres of crude, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. He compared the possibility to Guyana’s transformative ExxonMobil-led find, which reshaped that nation’s economy. Puri revealed exploratory activity is intensifying, with ONGC drilling 541 wells in FY24 — a 37-year high. The discovery could boost India’s $3.7 trillion economy and reduce its 85% oil import dependency. India’s push includes policy reforms, enhanced drilling, and strategic reserves. “We may find our own Guyana,” said Puri in The New Indian interview. (PC: MSN)

Police have recovered the machete used in the brutal murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. Raja, 29, was killed on May 23, just days after arriving with wife Sonam. Investigations reveal Sonam plotted the murder with her lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three accomplices, who bought the weapon near Guwahati station. Raja’s body was found on June 2 in Sohra. Sonam was arrested in Uttar Pradesh and confessed. All five accused are in Meghalaya Police custody, with an SIT probing the case. Raja’s brother has now demanded a narco test on Sonam’s parents, alleging wider conspiracy. (PC: India Today)

On June 12, Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 bound for London, crashed 36 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, slamming into a medical college hostel. All 242 onboard perished with only one survivor and at least 38 people on the ground were killed. The aircraft lost thrust during climb and issued a mayday. Both “black boxes” the Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder have been recovered. Investigators from India, the U.K., U.S., Boeing and GE Aerospace are examining cockpit communications, engine performance, flaps, landing gear, possible human error, and mechanical failure. The DGCA has ordered extra maintenance across Air India’s 787 fleet. Authorities continue DNA identification and support efforts for grieving families. (PC: Moneycontrol & NDTV)

Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the Air India Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing at least 270 people. The CVR, which records pilot conversations and cockpit sounds, complements the flight data recorder (FDR) found earlier. Together, these “black boxes” are key to determining the crash’s cause. India's AAIB is leading the probe, joined by US and UK teams, including the NTSB and FAA. Boeing officials also visited the site. DNA identification continues for the victims, including former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. Grieving families await answers and the return of remains for final rites. (PC: Getty Images)

A government panel chaired by the Home Secretary will meet Monday to investigate the Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 271 people. The panel must submit a report in 3 months with SOPs to prevent future disasters. Meanwhile, only 87 bodies have been identified through DNA. The remains of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani were confirmed; Monday is declared a state mourning day. Technical teams from the UK and Boeing visited the crash site in Ahmedabad. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and US NTSB are conducting parallel probes. Families continue to criticize Air India for poor support and delays. (PC: HT)