Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation after Iran fired missiles that struck Soroka Medical Center, the largest hospital in southern Israel, located in Beersheba. “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran,” Netanyahu declared in a statement. The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed direct hits and damage from the missile barrage. The strikes, described as targeting both civilians and critical infrastructure, mark a sharp escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict. No casualties were immediately confirmed, but the hospital sustained significant damage. Tensions remain high as Israel weighs its military response against Iran’s aggressive missile offensive. (PC: Reuters)

A SpaceX Starship prototype erupted into a massive fireball during a routine static engine test at the Starbase facility in Texas late Wednesday around 11 p.m. CT. The vehicle—Ship 36—experienced a “major anomaly” before its tenth flight test, triggering a dramatic explosion visible on live stream. SpaceX confirmed a safety perimeter was in place; all personnel are safe, and there’s no hazard to nearby communities. Local authorities and SpaceX crews have secured the site and are investigating the cause. The incident will likely delay the tenth Starship flight, as the company continues its rapid iter‑ate test approach.

India and Canada have reset diplomatic ties after a 2-year freeze, with PM Modi attending the G7 Summit in Canada and meeting new Canadian PM Mark Carney. High commissioners will return, and trade talks resume. Carney distanced himself from pro-Khalistan groups, unlike predecessor Trudeau. Simultaneously, India declined Donald Trump’s invite, citing unease over Trump’s lunch with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and repeated claims of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire. Trump’s tariff threats and attempts to hyphenate India-Pakistan have further strained US-India relations. Canada now appears more aligned with Indian interests than the unpredictable US stance under Trump. (PC: India Today)

On Day 7 of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel. The strike caused significant structural damage to the hospital’s emergency and pediatric units, triggering fires and forcing emergency evacuations of patients and staff. Israeli officials confirmed multiple injuries, including medical personnel, though no fatalities were immediately reported. This marks the first direct hit on a major civilian medical facility since hostilities began, raising serious concerns over violations of international humanitarian law. The attack has intensified regional fears and drawn widespread condemnation from global health and human rights organizations. (PC: News 18)

Air India’s Boeing 787‑8 black box from the June 12 Ahmedabad crash is heavily charred, prompting officials to consider sending it to a U.S. laboratory for data retrieval. Domestic teams found severe exterior damage that could impede local efforts. As per international protocols, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board may assist in extraction, while India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and UK authorities will oversee the process. The move aims to ensure comprehensive analysis of flight data and cockpit recordings, crucial to understanding the cause of India’s deadliest aviation accident in decades. (PC: NDTV)

The US is reinforcing its posture in the Middle East amid escalating Israel–Iran tensions. The USS Carl Vinson is stationed in the Arabian Sea while USS Nimitz heads to replace it, supported by F‑16s, air refueling tankers, and nearly 40,000 troops . Strategically, B‑2 stealth bombers armed with the 30,000‑lb GBU‑57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) are on standby to strike Iran’s Fordow underground facility—Israel alone lacks such heavy weaponry . UK’s PM Starmer is preparing cabinet response options while intelligence, logistics, and search‑rescue assets are being mobilized. Trump indicates readiness, though full planning remains underway. (PC: AP)

India’s PM Narendra Modi has firmly clarified to US President Donald Trump that the May 2025 ceasefire with Pakistan—triggered by India’s “Operation Sindoor” following the April 22 Pahalgam attack—was achieved solely through direct military communication, with no US mediation or trade leverage . Modi emphasized India’s “no-mediation” policy and briefed Trump on the measured nature of the counter-strikes . After their G7 phone call, Trump conceded that Modi and Pakistan’s military leadership “decided” to de-escalate, retracting his earlier mediation claims . The episode reinforces India’s diplomatic autonomy and highlights Modi’s decisive stance on terrorism and regional security. (PC: India Today)

Amid sharply rising tensions, the US has begun evacuation flights and cruise ship departures from Israel for American citizens, following Israeli strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites . Former President Trump asserted Iran was “weeks away” from a nuclear weapon, though US intelligence disputes any active weapons development . Israel’s air campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, has struck Tehran repeatedly, prompting Iran to retaliate with missiles and tighten internet controls . With US aircraft carriers being positioned nearby, Trump remains undecided on direct military intervention . Meanwhile, European leaders pursue diplomatic avenues to avert a wider war. (PC: The New York Times)

Rising hostilities between Israel and Iran have pushed U.S. oil prices to near five-month highs—about $73 per barrel—with potential to reach $120 if Iran targets vital transit zones like the Strait of Hormuz . Industry experts warn U.S. gasoline prices could jump 10–25 cents per gallon within days, impacting millions of drivers ahead of the July 4 holiday . While economists expect a limited effect on inflation and see markets weathering short-term volatility, escalation in the Gulf could trigger broader economic strain.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his second public address since Israeli airstrikes began, firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Iran to “unconditionally surrender.” Khamenei declared that “intelligent people…will never speak to this nation in the language of threats,” underlining Iran’s steadfast defiance . He cautioned that any U.S. military intervention would inflict “irreparable damage” on America . The speech, aired amid mounting civilian evacuations in Tehran, follows Trump branding Iran “in ruins” and warning Khamenei “good luck” if he refuses to surrender . As tensions escalate, Tehran remains defiant against external pressure. (PC: Reuters)