All 24 Indian seafarers aboard the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex were rescued safely after the vessel caught fire off the coast of Oman following a US military strike. Indian authorities confirmed that the crew members were evacuated with the help of Omani rescue teams and brought to safety without any reported casualties.   The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where commercial shipping has faced growing security risks. According to US Central Command, the unladen tanker was disabled after allegedly attempting to violate the blockade against Iran. Indian agencies coordinated with Omani authorities, the Indian Navy and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the crew's safe evacuation. (PC: BBC)

A Patna court has granted interim protection from arrest to educator and YouTuber Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, in connection with the firing and vandalism case at his coaching institute.   His lawyer said the court accepted the anticipatory bail plea and directed that he should not be arrested until the next hearing. Khan Sir is free to travel and will cooperate with the police investigation if questioned.   The FIR was registered after alleged firing and vandalism outside his coaching centre on June 2. Police have arrested two security guards, while Khan Sir has denied the allegations and claimed the case is an attempt to defame him. (PC: HT)

The Centre has approved a new Rs 13,000-crore greenfield civil-military airport in Great Nicobar, replacing the long-planned expansion of the Indian Navy's INS Baaz air station. The airport will be built at Chingen near Galathea Bay and is expected to serve both civilian and defence operations.   Officials said extending the existing INS Baaz runway was not feasible because of terrain, navigation and infrastructure challenges. The new facility, expected to be completed within five years, will remain under naval control while supporting civilian flights.   The airport is part of the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which also includes a transshipment port, power infrastructure and township development. The government says the project will strengthen India's strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific and improve connectivity, while critics have raised concerns over its environmental and tribal impact. (PC: India Today)

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said oil and gas prices are expected to ease in the coming months despite ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets. His remarks come after petrol and diesel prices were raised four times since mid-May, while domestic LPG prices increased twice. Global crude prices have climbed nearly 40% since intensified conflict began in February, pushing benchmarks close to $100 per barrel and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Puri said India has strategic reserves sufficient for 76–80 days of demand and expressed confidence that supplies from countries such as the United States and Canada would help offset shortages. (PC: The Telegraph)

Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's Gaganyaan mission, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu. The Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award. Nair received the honour for his contribution to India's human spaceflight programme and his role as a backup astronaut for the Axiom-4 mission. A decorated Indian Air Force test pilot, he is among the four astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan mission. Nair has undergone extensive training in India and Russia and has played a key role in advancing India's ambitions in human space exploration. (PC: Screengrab)

India's current account surplus narrowed to $7.1 billion, or 0.7 per cent of GDP, in the January-March quarter of 2025-26, according to Reserve Bank of India data. The surplus was lower than $13.7 billion recorded a year earlier. The decline was mainly due to a wider merchandise trade deficit, which rose to $83.4 billion from $59.3 billion. However, strong growth in services exports and higher remittances from Indians working abroad helped support the economy. During the quarter, foreign direct investment inflows increased to $4.2 billion, while foreign portfolio investors recorded net outflows of $12 billion. (PC: ANI)

Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's first human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan, was awarded the Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award recognises courage, devotion to duty and distinguished service. Nair received the honour for his contribution to India's human spaceflight programme and his role as a backup astronaut for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. A decorated Indian Air Force test pilot, Nair is among the four astronauts chosen for Gaganyaan, India's landmark mission aimed at sending astronauts into space aboard an indigenous spacecraft. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy Mi-17 helicopters and other air assets to transport NEET-UG 2026 re-test question papers ahead of the June 21 examination, according to sources. The confidential packets will be moved from 18 designated locations to distribution centres and exam hubs across the country under strict security arrangements.   The move is part of an extensive plan to prevent any paper leak and restore trust in the examination process after the earlier NEET-UG exam was cancelled over leak allegations. Authorities have also placed paper setters and moderators in a secure undisclosed facility, while security agencies and armed forces remain on standby to ensure the examination is conducted smoothly and securely. (PC: India Today)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday played a game of chess with Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa before honouring him with a ₹50 lakh cash reward for winning the Norway Chess 2026 title. The meeting took place at the state Secretariat in Chennai, where Vijay congratulated the chess star for his historic achievement. Praggnanandhaa recently became the first Indian player to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, defeating several top-ranked global players. The incentive was presented on behalf of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian chess. (PC: X)

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a proposed high-speed bullet train corridor linking New Delhi, Varanasi and Siliguri under the Union Budget 2026-27. The project aims to cut Delhi–Varanasi travel time on the 865-km route to about 3.5 hours from the current 8–11 hours, while Delhi–Siliguri journeys could be reduced to around six to seven hours. The proposed alignment will pass through Noida, Jewar Airport, Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Patna before reaching Siliguri. Vaishnaw also highlighted increased railway investments in West Bengal, metro expansion plans and a proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor.