CIA Director John Ratcliffe said US airstrikes caused severe damage to Iran’s nuclear sites, setting the programme back by years. He said key facilities must now be rebuilt. This differs from a leaked Pentagon report that claimed only minor setbacks. President Trump insisted the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities and criticised the media for “lying.” The attack targeted three sites: Natanz, Fordo, and Esfahan. Iran confirmed the sites were damaged but didn’t give details. Some US and Israeli officials said the damage was major. Talks between the US and Iran may take place next week, though Iran has not confirmed this. (PC: BBC)

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par has made ₹82.40 crore in six days since its release on June 20. The film opened with ₹10.7 crore and made ₹60 crore over the weekend. Earnings on Monday and Tuesday stayed around ₹8 crore, and it earned ₹7.25 crore on Wednesday. Despite no ticket discounts, the film is holding steady, especially in urban areas. Directed by RS Prasanna, the movie features Genelia Deshmukh and 10 debutant neurodivergent actors. It mixes comedy, emotion, and sports to highlight human resilience. With new films releasing soon, Sitaare Zameen Par must maintain its pace to stay strong. 

At least 12 people died and 20 were injured after gunmen opened fire during a street celebration in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. The attack happened late Wednesday while locals were dancing and drinking at a St. John the Baptist event. A video showed people enjoying music just before the shooting began. Authorities are investigating the incident. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack and called it “very unfortunate.” Guanajuato has seen rising violence due to organised crime. In the first five months of 2025, the state recorded over 1,400 murders. This shooting follows another deadly attack at a church event last month. (PC: Reuters)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israel to immediately cancel or pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, describing it as a politically motivated “witch hunt” . Speaking on Truth Social on June 25, 2025, Trump praised Netanyahu as a “great hero” and “wartime prime minister,” asserting that the United States would “save Bibi Netanyahu” as it did Israel . The trial, stemming from 2019 bribery, fraud, and breach-of-trust charges, began in 2020 and entered cross-examination on June 3, expected to last a year . Israeli President Herzog has stated that no pardon request has been made. (PC: X)

Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old self‑described democratic socialist, has pulled off a major upset by defeating establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary on June 24, 2025. Mamdani, who campaigned on affordability and progressive reforms like rent freezes, free transit, and city‑run services, energized grassroots and younger voters . His victory provoked broader Democratic Party discord: progressives celebrate, moderates warn of alienating swing constituencies, while Republicans label him the “radical face” of the Democrats—potentially influencing fall elections . If elected, Mamdani would become New York’s youngest mayor, and the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor. (PC: AFP)

A passenger bus fell into the Alaknanda River in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, on Thursday. One woman died, and seven others were injured. Two of the injured are 9-year-old children. The bus was travelling on the Badrinath Highway in Gholtir when the driver lost control. The vehicle, likely a tempo traveller, had 18–19 people onboard. Eleven passengers are still missing. Police, SDRF, and rescue teams are working at the spot. Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said, “One person has died and seven are injured. Rescue teams are at the site.” The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Sir Gareth Southgate, 54, has been knighted by Prince William at Windsor Castle on 25 June 2025, honoured for his outstanding contributions to English football . As England manager from 2016 to 2024, he led the team to consecutive European Championship finals (Euro 2020, Euro 2024), a FIFA World Cup semi-final in 2018, and a quarter-final in 2022 . Southgate, who formally resigned after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, described the knighthood as an “amazing honour”, admitting he was more emotional than expected . He becomes the fourth England manager to be knighted, joining Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey, and Sir Bobby Robson.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China, said, “We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them.” He reaffirmed India’s zero tolerance for terrorism and called for united global action. Singh cited Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 after the Pahalgam attack, saying it dismantled cross-border terror infrastructure. He stressed, “Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism.” Singh urged SCO members to act against sponsors and supporters of terrorism, adding that only strong, joint efforts can build peace, trust, and security in the region. (PC: Reuters)

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 26, 2025, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed that “peace, security and trust deficit” constitute the major challenges in the region . Without explicit naming, he condemned the use of cross‑border terrorism as policy, urging SCO nations to reject double standards . Singh underscored India’s commitment to multilateral reforms as essential for dialogue, cooperation, and crisis prevention . His strong stance on terrorism followed the Pahalgam attack, signaling India’s readiness to confront terror networks disguised under proxy groups. (PC: X)

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4), launched June 25, 2025 from Kennedy Space Center by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the newly named Crew Dragon named Grace, marks a milestone in private spaceflight . The crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander; pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian and second-ever Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma after 41 years ; mission specialists Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both making national ISS debuts . Backup crew includes India’s Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair . The two-week mission will dock June 26, conducting global scientific and technical research aboard the ISS.