A Raipur couple, Kasim and Shaheen Raza, are desperate for news from their 29‑year‑old daughter Eman, husband Ejaz Zaidi (34), and their two young sons (5,3), living in Qom amid the escalating Israel‑Iran conflict. Eman’s last call two days ago expressed fear and a plea to be evacuated; since then, all communication—calls and messages—has ceased . The family says internet disruptions are preventing contact and highlights Eman’s thyroid condition, raising health concerns . Kasim has appealed to the Indian government for urgent evacuation arrangements, hoping to bring their loved ones safely home. (PC: Indian Express)

In a major benefit under the newly signed £25.5 billion UK-India Free Trade Agreement, Indian workers temporarily posted to the UK will be exempt from paying National Insurance contributions for up to three years. This “double contribution” clause prevents Indian professionals from having to pay both Indian and UK social security, significantly reducing their financial burden. The agreement, hailed as the UK’s largest post-Brexit trade pact, also enhances access for Indian goods to the UK and slashes tariffs on British exports, including whisky, automobiles, and medical equipment.  

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra secured his first Diamond League win in two years at the Paris meet with an impressive 88.16 m first-round throw, edging past Germany’s Julian Weber (87.88 m) . Reflecting on his performance, Chopra credited a strong run-up but noted technical glitches—leaning left and chest-first release—that he plans to refine . The 27‑year‑old, coached by legendary Jan Zelezny, emphasized consistency and expressed confidence that it’s only a matter of time before he regularly breaches the 90 m mark again, following his 90.23 m feat earlier this season. (PC: Pragativadi)  

A dangerous and record-breaking heat wave is sweeping across a vast stretch of the U.S., affecting over 135 million Americans across the West, Midwest, and Northeast. Cities including Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Boston are experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching upper 90s to 100°F, and heat indexes soaring well above that. The intense heat is expected to persist into next week, with Chicago forecast to hit 100°F for the first time in over a decade. Officials are urging people to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and use cooling centers to stay safe. (PC: ABC News)

Israel's military conducted a precision strike on southern Lebanon on June 21, eliminating Hezbollah commander Mohammad Khadr al-Husseini—accused of orchestrating attacks on Nahariya and Haifa and rebuilding Hezbollah’s artillery units—to “neutralise imminent threats to its northern border” . Two additional Hezbollah commanders were also killed in a separate strike in Nabatieh, heightening regional tensions . The strikes are part of a broader campaign tied to Israel’s wider confrontation with Iran, striking at proxy forces seen as extensions of Tehran’s strategic sphere . (PC: NDTV)        

  Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, vowing it will “never be restored” after the Pakistan‑backed Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025 . He emphasized India’s sovereign right to divert river waters to Rajasthan, stating Pakistan “will be starved of water” . Reflecting on national security, Shah lauded Operation Sindoor—the missile strike campaign launched in May—as decisive, underlining the power of India’s indigenous Akash and BrahMos systems to reshape regional dynamics. He added that such actions sent a “strong message” to Pakistan on cross‑border terrorism and water security, reinforcing India’s stance on protecting its interests. (PC: PTI)        

On June 20, 2025, Kolkata Police intercepted Union Minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar while en route to meet UK‑based physician Dr Rajat Subhra Banerjee in Bhawanipore. The doctor, who previously challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a London lecture, was detained alongside Majumdar. Police alleged Dr Banerjee was “not at home,” but he later emerged, and both were held briefly before being taken to Lalbazar station and released without charges . The BJP accused the Mamata government of political vendetta and “state‑sponsored goondaism,” calling the detention an assault on democratic dissent . TMC defended the action, claiming it maintained public order amid provocations. (PC: ANI)

On June 21, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cautioned Pakistan that Operation Sindoor is not over, warning any new terrorist attack on Indian soil would trigger “disastrous consequences” . Speaking to soldiers in Udhampur ahead of International Yoga Day, he hailed the mission as a “powerful message” that India’s shifting counter‑terror policy now combines strength and strategy . Launched in May to strike terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK following the April Pahalgam attack, the operation marked a strategic elevation—being a “natural progression” from earlier drone and air strikes . Singh emphasized both military precision and soldiers’ well‑being: “If you are strong, our borders will be strong.” (PC: PTI)

Maharashtra recorded 53 fresh COVID‑19 infections on Friday, June 20, raising its cumulative case count since January 1, 2025, to 2,281, with no fatalities reported in the last 24 hours . The active caseload stands at 340 patients, with Pune (18), Mumbai (11), Nagpur (8), and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (6) leading new infections . To date, 24,635 samples have been tested statewide, with 83.7% recovery as 1,909 individuals have recovered . Health officials continue ILI/SARI surveillance and emphasize testing patients with mild symptoms. (PC: NDTV)

On June 20–21, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply contradicted the U.S. intelligence community, asserting it was wrong to claim that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon . Responding to Senator-director Tulsi Gabbard's March testimony that no evidence exists of Iran actively pursuing a bomb, Trump retorted: “She’s wrong,” and warned Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months unless halted . He refused to pressure Israel for a ceasefire, citing Israel’s military advantage, while stressing U.S. readiness to engage diplomatically or militarily within two weeks. (PC: Al Jazeera)