The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has come under scrutiny after the iconic Indus Valley Civilisation "Dancing Girl" figurine appeared in an altered form in its new Class 9 art textbook. The image shows the famous bronze statue with its torso shaded and partially covered, unlike the original artefact that has featured in school books for decades. The change has triggered debate among historians and education experts, who argue that modifying a well-known historical object could affect its authenticity. NCERT officials said there was no specific reason behind the change, while reports said the matter is being reviewed. (PC: X)

A group of students walked out of Stanford University’s graduation ceremony while Google CEO Sundar Pichai was delivering his keynote speech. The protest was reportedly organised by activist groups opposing Google’s alleged contracts with the Israeli military and US government agencies. Despite the disruption, Pichai continued his speech and focused on career advice and optimism for graduates. He avoided detailed discussion on artificial intelligence and other technology issues. The incident highlighted ongoing debates on university campuses about the role of major technology companies in government and defence-related projects. Pichai is a Stanford alumnus and Google’s chief executive.

The United States and Iran have reached a tentative peace agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The deal is expected to be officially signed in Switzerland on June 19. US President Donald Trump said the agreement does not include sanctions relief and depends on Iran meeting its commitments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear programme but stressed that Israel’s fight was not over. “Iran will never get nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said. Several countries and the United Nations have welcomed the proposed agreement as a step towards regional stability.

The United States and Iran have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending nearly four months of conflict. According to a senior US official, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf approved the agreement, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled in Geneva on Friday. The MoU creates a 60-day negotiation period to resolve key issues, including Iran's nuclear programme. The deal is also expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, while discussions continue over regional security and the situation in Lebanon. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the United States and Iran have reached a landmark peace agreement aimed at easing months of regional tensions. According to Sharif, the formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, with Pakistan playing a key diplomatic role. The proposed deal includes a ceasefire, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and renewed talks on Iran’s nuclear program. However, Israeli warnings and concerns over Hezbollah's activities continue to cast uncertainty over the agreement. World leaders have welcomed the development while stressing the need for sustained regional cooperation. (PC: X)

At least 11 people were killed and 53 injured in a wave of Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Monday. Four people died in Kyiv, while five rescue workers were killed in Kharkiv while fighting a fire caused by the strikes. The attacks also damaged the 11th-century Dormition Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a major attack on Christian culture. More than 140,000 people in Kyiv were left without electricity. Russia denied targeting the cathedral and said the strikes were aimed at military sites.

Iran on Monday said it still deeply mistrusts the United States despite a new framework aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the mistrust comes from a long history of American actions against Iran. He described the agreement as only a first step toward ending the conflict that began in February. Iran also called on the US to ensure that Israel follows its commitments under the proposed deal. The agreement includes plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, though major disagreements remain unresolved.

Fresh questions have emerged over the proposed US-Iran peace deal as conflicting accounts surface about key parts of the agreement. While US President Donald Trump has said the deal could help end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, uncertainty remains over whether the ceasefire will also cover Lebanon. Reports also differ on the possible release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and the scale of future sanctions relief. Iran's nuclear programme is expected to be discussed in later negotiations. Officials from both sides have yet to publish the full terms, leaving several major issues unresolved. (PC: HT)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that children under the age of 16 will be banned from using major social media platforms from spring 2027. The restriction will apply to TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and X, but messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt. Starmer said he was "not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children" and called a full ban the right decision. The move follows growing concerns over online harms and pressure from bereaved families, while critics argue platforms should be made safer instead of introducing a blanket ban. (PC: BBC)

The United States and Iran are set to sign a peace agreement in Switzerland on June 19 after a breakthrough mediated by Pakistan. The framework includes an immediate halt to military operations, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day negotiation period for a broader settlement. The agreement has received support from the UN and several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Israel has strongly opposed the deal, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling it "bad for Israel" and insisting the country will maintain a hard-line security policy in Lebanon and continue efforts against Iran's nuclear ambitions. (PC: HT)