Jasprit Bumrah has opened up about why he didn’t become India’s Test captain after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from red-ball cricket. Bumrah revealed he turned down the offer due to workload concerns and past back injuries. “Before Rohit and Virat retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI about my workloads going forward in a five-Test match series,” he said. Bumrah added that he consulted his doctors and physios before making the call. “I love cricket more than captaincy,” he said, adding that it’s better for the team to have one consistent leader. Shubman Gill was named captain for the England series.

Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reviewed India’s petroleum supply amid escalating Israel–Iran tensions. He confirmed India is “well‑positioned” to meet its fuel requirements, crediting PM Modi’s diversified import strategy and proactive government planning. The minister met with officials from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL to reassess stock levels and confirm reserves. India now explores offshore prospects, with promising finds in the Andaman Sea potentially a “Guyana moment” enabled by opening 1 million km² of previously restricted sedimentary basins. Only 8 % of India’s total 3.5 million km² basin has been explored; current exploration targets about 42 billion tonnes of oil‑gas equivalent. Although offshore wells cost US $100 million each, state-owned ONGC has drilled historic numbers this year.

Punjab-based YouTuber and influencer Kanchan Kumari aka “Kamal Kaur Bhabhi” or “Queen” was found strangled inside a locked car on the Adesh Medical University campus in Bathinda. Her alleged killer, radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh Mehron, fled to the UAE soon after the June 9 murder; two associates, Jaspreet and Nimratjit Singh, have been arrested. The motive appears rooted in moral policing targeting her bold content. On June 17, Giani Malkit Singh, head granthi of Akal Takht, justified the killing, claiming obscene content defames the Sikh religion, sparking widespread criticism. Meanwhile, other influencers, including Deepika Luthra, have received threats and sought police protection.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, on a five-day visit to Washington, faced protests by Pakistani‑Americans outside his hotel. Demonstrators, many linked to Imran Khan’s PTI chanted slogans like “Shame on you, mass murderer,” “dictator,” and “Islamabad ka Qatil.” Viral videos show crowds challenging authorities, holding banners reading “Mass Murderer,” “Democracy dies when guns speak,” and demanding civilian supremacy. Protesters accused Munir of crushing democracy and called for free elections. His visit, timed near U.S. Armed Forces’ 250th anniversary parade, sparked diplomatic chatter though the White House denied inviting him to the event. The scenes in D.C. reflect deep discontent within Pakistan’s diaspora over military rule.

Air India’s first London-bound flight from Ahmedabad since the AI 171 crash, which killed 274 people last week, was cancelled on Tuesday due to a technical snag. The replacement aircraft, AI 159—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—was grounded minutes before takeoff. This marks the fourth technical issue involving Air India aircraft in the past 24 hours. Another London-Amritsar flight was also cancelled, and flights from San Francisco and Hong Kong faced similar setbacks. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the AI 171 crash, with experts suggesting dual engine failure as a possible cause. Air India has promised full refunds and accommodations. (PC: India Today)

Amid intensifying clashes between Israel and Iran, India has moved students out of Tehran and facilitated the exit of several nationals via Armenia, the External Affairs Ministry confirmed. With Iranian airspace closed, some Indian citizens, mostly students from Jammu and Kashmir, were evacuated by bus to safer regions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar coordinated with Armenia’s foreign minister to enable land crossings. Over 4,000 Indians reside in Iran, half of them students. The embassy remains in contact with Indian nationals. As Iran and Israel exchange missile attacks for the fifth day, India has urged dialogue and issued further advisories for citizens. (PC: AP)

Donald Trump denied claims that he left the G7 summit in Canada to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Taking to Truth Social, Trump said French President Emmanuel Macron “mistakenly” suggested the exit was linked to ceasefire efforts. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington… Much bigger than that,” Trump posted. He further remarked, “Emmanuel always gets it wrong.” The abrupt departure comes as Middle East tensions escalate. Macron’s comments drew attention ahead of key G7 discussions. Trump’s remarks add to uncertainty over U.S. involvement in de-escalation talks. “Stay tuned,” he wrote. (PC: Sky News )

Khalistani separatists staged an "ambush" protest in Calgary, Alberta, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7 Summit. Viral videos show extremists shouting violent anti-India slogans, tearing and stomping on the Indian flag, and playing hate-filled songs. Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman described the protest as chaotic and aggressive. Independent journalist Mocha Bezirgan said banned group Sikhs for Justice was involved. India’s Sikh leaders, including from Patna Sahib Gurudwara, condemned the use of children in the protests. PM Mark Carney's invitation to Modi was seen by many as a shift away from separatist appeasement towards economic priorities. (PC: India Today)

At least 15 people, including a 62-year-old US citizen, were killed and dozens injured in one of Russia’s largest airstrikes on Kyiv since its full-scale invasion began. Ukraine's Interior Minister reported 440 drones and 32 missiles launched nationwide. A missile struck a nine-storey apartment in Kyiv, with 27 districts hit. President Zelensky condemned the assault as "pure terrorism" and criticised global inaction. Drone strikes also killed 1 and injured 10 in Odesa. Rescue efforts continue under air raid sirens. Talks with Trump at the G7 were cancelled, while the UK prepares new sanctions on Russia. (PC: BBC)

Ali Shadmani, one of Iran’s most powerful military figures and a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, the Israeli military confirmed Tuesday. Shadmani, a former wartime Chief of Staff, commanded both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian armed forces. The Israeli Air Force reportedly targeted a staffed command center in central Tehran after what it described as “a sudden opportunity.” Shadmani’s death marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its fifth day, with major military and civilian casualties reported. (PC: Hindustan Times)