The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 26 extended invitations to 534 artists and filmmakers worldwide, including Indian luminaries Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana . Other Indian invitees: filmmaker Payal Kapadia, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designer Maxima Basu, and documentary maker Smriti Mundhra . The 2025 class marks record diversity—41% women, 45% underrepresented, and 55% international—further enhancing the Academy’s inclusivity . Global stars like Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Stan, Conan O’Brien, and Jeremy Strong also joined the ranks, bringing total membership to over 11,000 voting members . Once accepted, these members can vote for the 2026 Oscars, scheduled for March 15, hosted by Conan O’Brien. (PC: iDiva)

Iran on June 28 held a large state funeral in Tehran for approximately 60 individuals—including high-ranking IRGC commanders like Generals Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, alongside 14 nuclear scientists—who were killed during Israel’s 12-day air campaign, “Operation Rising Lion,” which began June 13 . Hundreds of thousands—possibly over a million—mourned across Azadi Street, chanting anti‑American and anti‑Israeli slogans . The funeral underscores the heavy toll inflicted: Iran reported over 600 deaths and 4,700+ injuries, while Israel stated 28 fatalities on its side . Tensions remain high despite a ceasefire, marking a solemn milestone in the escalating Iran‑Israel standoff. (PC: AP)

Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett on June 28 donated $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares—approximately 12.36 million—to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four Buffett family charities, marking his largest annual gift since 2006 . Of this, 9.43 million shares went to the Gates Foundation; the rest were allocated to the Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, Howard G., and NoVo Foundations . This raises his total donations to over $60 billion. Post-donation, he retains a 13.8% stake in Berkshire. At age 94, Buffett plans to leave 99.5% of his estate to philanthropy, managed by his children within a decade of his death. (PC: NDTV)

In a shocking June 25 incident at South Calcutta Law College, a 24-year-old first-year student was allegedly gang-raped in the security guard’s room after being offered a prominent student-union post. Three suspects—former student and practicing lawyer Manojit Mishra (TMC student wing), and current students Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20)—were arrested within 24 hours. On June 28, police arrested a fourth individual: security guard Pinaki Banerjee (55), accused of facilitating the crime by leaving the victim locked inside and ignoring her pleas . The medical report, corroborating the survivor, confirms assault, and investigations continue amid widespread campus safety and political concerns. (PC: PTI)

Pakistan has begun reconstructing terrorist launchpads and training camps demolished during India’s May 2025 “Operation Sindoor” strikes, with active support from its military, ISI, and government . The new facilities are purportedly smaller, tech‑advanced, and hidden in dense forests along the Line of Control, designed to evade satellite, radar, and thermal detection . Rebuilt sites include Luni, Jamil Post, Umranwali, Kel, and Kotli, among others, while launchpads are being decentralized into dispersed units housing under 200 militants . Intelligence suggests this is a strategic effort to re‑establish terror infrastructure aimed at India. (PC: NDTV)

Luxury brand Prada acknowledged that sandals showcased in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection were inspired by India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals—handcrafted leather footwear from Maharashtra and Karnataka—after facing heavy criticism online for failing to attribute the design . Social media outrage, highlighted by trending #KolhapuriChappals, exposed the disparity between the ₹300–₹1,500 artisan-made originals and Prada’s ₹1.2 lakh “luxury” version . Under pressure, Prada vowed to engage with local artisans and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, exploring fair collaboration and ethical recognition—prompting renewed discussions on cultural respect and protection of India's GI-tagged crafts. (PC: Prada)

On June 27, 2025, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification banning import of select jute and flax products—including yarn, woven fabrics, and bast fibres—from Bangladesh through all land border ports; henceforth, such goods must arrive solely via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra . The regulation exempts transit shipments destined for Nepal and Bhutan but prohibits re‑exports from those countries . The move, a response to bilateral tensions, is expected to hit land‑transport reliant traders, raising costs and logistical challenges for Bangladesh’s jute industry. (PC: AFP)

Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old democratic socialist of Indian descent, claimed victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo . His grassroots campaign—centered on rent freezes, free public transit, universal childcare, and taxing the wealthy—energized young, South Asian, Muslim, and progressive voters . But his policies and outspoken support for Gaza, criticism of Modi and Netanyahu, and controversial tax proposals prompted backlash from moderates, business leaders, Republicans, and even legal scrutiny . If elected, Mamdani would become NYC’s first Muslim, South Asian, and millennial mayor—symbolizing a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party. (PC: The Print)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced U.S. President Trump’s comments toward Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “disrespectful and unacceptable,” warning that such rhetoric undermines any hopes for a nuclear deal . Araghchi urged Trump to cease insulting language that hurts “millions of heartfelt followers” and emphasized Iran’s independence—mocking Israel as having “no choice but to run to Daddy” to avoid Iranian missiles . The backlash followed Trump’s Truth Social claim that he prevented Khamenei from being killed during U.S./Israeli strikes—a boast Iran calls insulting . Tehran insists it won’t engage in talks unless U.S. rhetoric is respectful, signaling renewed diplomatic strain. (PC: AP)

The father of the 2024 RG Kar medical college rape-murder victim strongly criticized the West Bengal government after a 24-year-old law student was allegedly gangraped inside South Calcutta Law College. He stated the repeated crimes prove “nothing changed” despite previous public outrage, emphasizing that “the government has a significant role in this… All three people arrested are from TMC” and must face severe punishment . The accused—alumni and staff of the college—were arrested swiftly. The incident has triggered political backlash, with opposition parties blaming the TMC administration for fostering campus lawlessness. (PC: PTI)