India ended Day 1 of the 1st Test against England in Leeds at 359/3, powered by centuries from captain Shubman Gill (127*) and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (110). The visitors dominated the day, with a 91-run opening stand between Jaiswal and KL Rahul setting the tone. Despite a brief fightback from England, including Ben Stokes dismissing Jaiswal post-tea, India recovered strongly. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 65 alongside Gill. Debutant B Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a duck. With a solid platform laid, India looks to push ahead on Day 2 in the World Test Championship opener. (PC: BCCI)

The Israel-Iran conflict escalated on Day 8 with both sides launching missiles at each other’s military installations. Israel claimed overnight airstrikes in Tehran targeted missile production facilities and a nuclear weapons research center. In response, Iran fired missiles at Israeli military bases, state media reported. Iran also named a new intelligence chief for the Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor was killed in a prior Israeli strike. Meanwhile, the White House said US President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks on potential US military involvement, keeping diplomacy open. The international community continues to call for de-escalation. (PC: India Today)

In a landmark decision, the UK Parliament passed the Assisted Dying Bill on June 20, with 314 MPs voting in favour and 291 against. The bill allows terminally ill, mentally competent adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to choose medical assistance to end their lives. The proposed law now moves to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. PM Keir Starmer’s Labour government remained neutral. Supporters hailed it as a compassionate choice; opponents warned of potential coercion. The UK now moves closer to joining countries like Canada and Australia in legalising assisted dying. (PC: Reuters)

President Droupadi Murmu was moved to tears on her 67th birthday during her visit to the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun. Visually impaired children sang a heartfelt song to wish her, prompting an emotional response. “They were singing from the heart,” she said. Murmu lauded their special abilities and urged them to pursue education confidently. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami praised Murmu’s inspirational journey. Murmu, on a three-day Uttarakhand visit, will also inaugurate the newly renovated Rashtrapati Niketan and attend International Yoga Day celebrations.

The UK Foreign Office announced on Friday it is temporarily withdrawing embassy staff from Tehran due to escalating security threats amid intensifying Israel-Iran conflict. The embassy will operate remotely. This follows an earlier decision to evacuate families of UK staff from both Israel and Iran. The move coincides with renewed Iranian missile strikes on Israel and Israeli attacks on military targets in Tehran, including missile sites. Meanwhile, UK, French, and German foreign ministers are holding talks in Geneva with Iran to push for de-escalation. The White House says Donald Trump will decide within two weeks on possible US military involvement. (PC: BBC)

The US has resumed processing student visa applications for 2025 with stricter rules. Applicants must now make their social media accounts public, as refusal could lead to rejection. Visa officers will review posts for anti-US sentiments, even political opinions. The US will prioritize students applying to institutions with less than 15% international students, disadvantaging elite universities like Harvard. Critics call the move “ideological vetting” and fear it could suppress free speech. Countries failing to upgrade screening processes risk joining the US travel ban list. This shift may deter many international applicants from pursuing studies in top American institutions. (PC: The Indian Express)

India dominated the second session of Day 1 in the 1st Test against England at Headingley, reaching 215/2 at Tea. Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed with a commanding fourth Test century, while captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 58. The duo’s partnership crossed 100 runs, putting England’s bowlers under immense pressure. Earlier, India reached 92/2 at Lunch after a solid 91-run opening stand between Jaiswal and KL Rahul. However, England hit back with two quick wickets in five balls, including debutant B Sai Sudharsan for a duck. India aims to build on this strong foundation in the final session of Day 1. (PC: BCCI)

In a rare diplomatic gesture, Iran has temporarily opened its otherwise restricted airspace to allow three charter flights as part of Operation Sindhu, evacuating approximately 1,000 Indian nationals—mainly students—from conflict-affected Mashhad . The first flight, carrying 110 students evacuated via Armenia on June 17–18, landed in Delhi on June 19, with two more flights scheduled for June 20–21 . Coordinated by India’s MEA and embassy teams, this operation highlights strong humanitarian cooperation amid escalating military tensions involving missile and drone exchanges in the region. (PC: X)

As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks on whether to back Israeli military strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia has issued a dire warning, stating that the world is “millimeters from nuclear catastrophe” should the U.S. intervene. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has dismissed Trump’s demands for unconditional surrender, vowing to continue Iran’s nuclear program. While diplomatic talks are ongoing in Geneva, fears of a broader regional or even global war are mounting, with Russia offering to mediate and the U.S. remaining cautious. (PC: Vox)

As Israeli strikes on Iran continue, anxiety grips Tehrangeles, the Iranian American enclave in West Los Angeles. Home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora, locals like Farbod “Freddy” Papen express deep concern over loved ones in Iran and the uncertain future. The diverse community, including Persian Jews and Muslims, feels torn between multiple identities. Rabbi Refael Cohen highlighted shared fears across both nations’ civilians. Many fear U.S. involvement could escalate the conflict and spark domestic backlash. Amid this turmoil, Papen continues serving traditional Persian ice cream, saying, “Whether it’s Tel Aviv or Tehran—these are people’s lives being sacrificed.” (PC: The Guardian)