India and England begin their five‑match Test series at Headingley, Leeds today, launching the new 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. Shubman Gill makes his debut as India’s Test captain following retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin. England, captained by Ben Stokes under the aggressive “Bazball” approach, field a seam‑strong bowling attack led by Chris Woakes in the post‑Anderson/Broad era. Weather poses a real threat with rain or overcast skies predicted across all five days which could dramatically shift conditions and dictate toss strategy. India’s lineup blends youth and experience, with Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, Karun Nair’s return, and vice‑captain Rishabh Pant under focus. (PC: Crictoday & India Today)

An Indian student, Tanya Tyagi from Delhi, unexpectedly passed away on June 17, 2025, while studying at the University of Calgary, Canada. The Consulate General of India in Vancouver confirmed her death on June 19, expressing deep sorrow and pledging full support to her bereaved family. Authorities in Canada have yet to reveal the cause. Meanwhile, an unverified social media post, tagging India’s PMO, alleged she suffered a fatal heart attack. The post also requested assistance from PM Modi in repatriating her body. This incident echoes a troubling trend: earlier this year, Indian student Sudiksha Konanki vanished during vacation in the Dominican Republic. (PC: X)

India’s DRDO chief, Dr Samir V Kamat, confirmed to NDTV that the country's hypersonic glide missile is in an advanced development stage and could complete trials within the next 2–3 years. He also highlighted the stellar performance of indigenous systems BrahMos, Akash SAM, the D4 anti‑drone withered Pakistan’s defences during Operation Sindoor. Those successes underscore India’s growing aerospace prowess and strategic autonomy. Kamat emphasised that the hypersonic glide vehicle, a cutting‑edge boost‑glide system, will significantly enhance penetration capability against modern missile defences. This progress furthers India’s ambition to join a select club of nations with deployable hypersonic systems, marking a strategic leap in deterrence. (PC: X)

Former Union Minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has issued a legal notice to his elder brother Kalanithi Maran, chairman of the ₹24,000 crore Sun TV Network, alleging fraudulent transfer of lakhs of shares in 2003 to himself without proper valuation or approval . The notice demands restoring the pre‑September 2003 ownership structure—equal stakes between the Maran family and Karunanidhi’s heirs—and seeks reversal of dividends and assets accumulated over ₹8,500 crore . Shares fell over 4% following the news . Dayanidhi warns of civil, criminal, regulatory action including SFIO and SEBI complaints. (PC: Tradingview)

An Iranian missile struck Israel’s prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot early June 20, 2025, severely damaging two buildings and multiple laboratories—destroying years of vital research—though miraculously, no casualties were reported . Known as Israel’s “crown jewel of science,” the institute leads global research in life sciences, physics, and chemistry. Analysts view the strike as a chilling message that scientific infrastructure is now a legitimate military target, echoing Iran’s past covert efforts against Israeli researchers . The attack deepens the Israel–Iran conflict, expanding it from conventional military targets to the intellectual heart of a nation. (PC: The Economic Times)

US President Donald Trump, during a private White House lunch with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir on June 18, acknowledged “for the first time in weeks” that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10 was driven by “two very smart” leaders, PM Narendra Modi and General Munir, rather than by his own efforts. Trump expressed gratitude to both leaders for averting what “could have been a nuclear war,” and mentioned ongoing trade talks. Modi, in a phone call with Trump, clarified that no US mediation or trade deal was discussed during Operation Sindoor ceasefire negotiations, which were conducted purely through military channels. (PC: X & The New York Times)

Multiple forensic indicators and reports suggest Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, is now hiding in underground bunkers likely in Lavizan near Tehran after Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. A forensic analysis of a recent Khamenei video shows dramatically reduced audio and video bitrate, amateur mic setup, and lower production quality indicative of temporary or improvised surroundings. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump have both hinted they know Khamenei’s whereabouts; Trump stated the U.S. could target him but “won’t for now”. Meanwhile, Iranian media confirms his bunker relocation, and Khamenei in his latest broadcast warned that any U.S. military intervention would provoke serious consequences. (PC: AFP)

Two Indian nationals studying in the US have been sentenced for orchestrating large-scale phishing schemes targeting elderly Americans. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, received 63 months for laundering over $2.7 million by impersonating US government officials and coercing at least 25 seniors into handing over cash and gold . His co‑defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing . In a separate case, Moinuddin Mohammed was sentenced to eight years for a similar scam defrauding older Americans of nearly $6 million . The DOJ warns seniors to be vigilant against government impersonation efforts. (PC: iStock)

Tata-owned Air India announced a 15% reduction in international wide-body flights from June 21 to July 15, cutting 38 weekly services across North America, Europe, Australia, the Far East and more, to “restore schedule stability” and complete enhanced safety inspections after the June 12 Ahmedabad Dreamliner crash, which killed 241 people . Additionally, three routes—Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London (Gatwick), and Goa–London (Gatwick)—will be fully suspended until mid‑July . The airline cited airspace disruptions from Middle East tensions and stricter inspections of Boeing 787 and 777 fleets. Affected passengers will be offered rebooking, refunds, or schedule adjustments. (PC: India Today)

On June 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Siwan, Bihar, unveiling ₹5,736 crore worth of development projects. Key highlights include inaugurating 22 initiatives covering rail, water, power, sanitation, housing, and battery energy storage . He also flagged off the Patliputra–Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah and launched the Vaishali–Deoria railway line (₹400 crore) . A historic moment came as he graced the dispatch of India’s first ‘Made‑in‑India’ diesel locomotive built in Bihar to Guinea—part of a ₹3,000 crore export deal for 150 units . The visit reinforces Bihar’s development trajectory ahead of upcoming state elections. (PTI)