Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer” arguing that 14 GBU‑57 bunker‑buster bombs obliterated key sites like Fordow. He dismissed leaked preliminary DIA assessments suggesting only a few‑month setback and accused media of biased “fake news.” Hegseth, backed by AI modeling and internal damage reviews, denied Iran relocated enriched uranium ahead of the strikes. Iranian officials offered mixed reactions: Supreme Leader Khamenei called the strikes ineffective, while Foreign Minister Araghchi acknowledged serious damage but ruled out fresh negotiations. U.S. intelligence chiefs countered the DIA leak, stating reconstruction could take years. President Trump applauded the mission and condemned critical media coverage.

Tesla’s new car registrations in Europe plunged 27.9 % year‑on‑year in May—the fifth straight monthly decline. This occurs despite overall EV market growth of 27.2 % across the region. Tesla’s share of new‑car sales dropped from 1.8 % to just 1.2 %, even after launching a refreshed Model Y, which has yet to reverse the trend. European drivers are instead flocking to plug‑in hybrids and alternative‑fuel vehicles. Chinese EV manufacturers continue to surge, doubling market share to 5.9 % and selling 65,808 cars in May. BYD virtually matched Tesla’s European registrations last month, overtaking it in April. (PC: Euro News)

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, meeting Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Summit in Qingdao, urged a permanent solution to border demarcation and structured de-escalation measures. The two held in-depth discussions on maintaining peace and tranquility along the Indo-China border and agreed to continue consultations at multiple levels. Singh stressed reactivating established mechanisms for disengagement, de‑escalation and delimitation to rebuild trust post‑2020 stand-off. He also updated on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor targeting Pakistan-based terror networks. (PC:X)

India’s U‑19 squad is set for a seven‑match tour of England, featuring five Youth ODIs (June 27–July 7) and two Youth Tests (July 12–15; July 20–23). The tour begins with a 50‑over warm‑up game at Loughborough on June 24. Ayush Mhatre, fresh off a strong IPL season, will lead the team with Abhigyan Kundu as vice‑captain. Spotlight shines on 14‑year‑old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals' breakout star, who amassed 252 runs in IPL 2025 at a dizzying strike rate. The announced schedule spans venues in Hove, Northampton, Worcester, Beckenham, and Chelmsford, with all matches starting at 11 am local time. (PC: Mint & News Bytes)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, fresh off a rare‑earth trade pact with China, has hinted at a “very big” bilateral trade agreement with India. Speaking at the White House’s “Big Beautiful Bill” event, he emphasized selective diplomacy: “We’re not going to make deals with everybody… Some we … send a letter… you pay 25, 35, 45 per cent.” Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed February discussions between Trump and Prime Minister Modi aimed to finalize a mutually beneficial pact. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described negotiations as “very, very good” and predicted a deal “in the not‑too‑distant future.” The accord aims to deepen trade, investment, and strategic ties between the world’s two largest democracies. (PC: Instagram)

A British Royal Navy F‑35B stealth fighter, valued at $110 million, has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 14 after an emergency landing due to low fuel and bad weather. A hydraulic snag was discovered post‐landing, preventing its return to HMS Prince of Wales. A small Royal Navy technician team attempted repairs but failed. Now, a 40‑member UK engineering team and specialized tow vehicle are inbound, aiming to shift the jet into Air India’s MRO hangar to shield it from monsoon rains. Parking fees may apply for the extended stay. If on‑site repairs don’t succeed, airlifting the F‑35B via military transport remains an option. (PC: CISF, PTI & CNBC)

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the SCO joint communiqué in Qingdao, citing its omission of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, mostly tourists. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar supported the decision, noting a SCO member widely understood as Pakistan refused to include terrorism while the bloc aims to fight it. The draft did reference Pakistan’s Jaffar Express hijacking, seen as a diversion tactic. Singh highlighted India’s “zero tolerance,” praising Operation Sindoor, and warned against double standards. He urged holding terrorists' sponsors accountable, calling for SCO unity against cross‑border terrorism.

A vast sea of devotees has gathered in Puri for today’s Rath Yatra, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra embark on their sacred 3 km journey to the Gundicha Temple. The city is under a five‑tier security blanket, with about 10,000 personnel including CAPF, BSF, and Odisha police deployed under “Operation Sindoor”. AI‑enabled CCTV, drones, snipers, and traffic controls reinforce safety. Meanwhile, similar celebrations unfold in Digha (its first-ever Yatra, presided by CM Mamata Banerjee) and Ahmedabad (148th Rath Yatra), attracting massive crowds and top leaders including PM Modi, President Murmu, and Amit Shah.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sharply criticized the Gandhi family today, on the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, saying they “trampled on the Constitution” and violated citizens’ fundamental rights. He condemned Congress leaders for suppressing free speech, arresting dissenters under MISA, and imposing authoritarian control. Jaishankar recalled that over 100,000 people including journalists and political opponents were imprisoned, and the press faced strict censorship. He emphasized that the Emergency remains a “bleak chapter” in India’s democratic history. The minister warned that such undemocratic episodes must be remembered to deter recurrence, asserting that the Gandhi dynasty bears responsibility for this period. (PC: Outlook India)

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the draft joint communique of the SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 26. The statement omitted any mention of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists, while referencing the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan’s Balochistan. India criticized this selective treatment, accusing one unnamed nation widely understood to be Pakistan, supported by China of blocking terrorism references. Singh emphasized India’s “zero tolerance” stance, citing recent Operation Sindoor and placing responsibility on countries that sponsor or shelter terrorists. Lacking consensus, the SCO released no statement. This move underscores India’s insistence on explicit anti-terror language in multilateral forums.