The Met Office has issued a heatwave alert as temperatures are poised to hit 32 °C on Saturday in southern England—surpassing expectations and overshadowing summer highs in Barcelona (29 °C), Lisbon (29 °C) and Nice (30 °C). London will escalate from 29 °C on Thursday to 32 °C by the weekend, spreading warmth to Manchester, Newcastle and beyond. The rise is driven by sunny skies and warm southerly winds drawing air from continental Europe. However, rising humidity may bring localized heavy showers. The London Fire Brigade warns that tinder‑dry grass, after one of the driest springs, could fuel wildfires. Droughts persist in Yorkshire and the North West. Temperatures may ease early next week. (PC: The Independent & The Guardian)

On June 17, 2025, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to relocate to safer parts of the city, citing rising Israel–Iran tensions and directed those able to exit Tehran to do so by any means. It provided 24×7 helpline numbers and a special Telegram channel for real‑time updates. India’s MEA also established a control room in Delhi and is coordinating student relocations from high‑risk zones within Iran, liaising with Armenia and UAE for evacuation routes. The embassy continues to monitor developments closely.

On June 17, Air India’s Boeing 777‑200LR flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai encountered a left‑engine snag during its scheduled stop at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport. Landing on time at 00:45 IST, the aircraft experienced a technical glitch, delaying its onward journey. Around 05:20 IST, the captain ordered all passengers to deplane as a precautionary safety measure. Ground crews inspected the idle jet while arrangements were made to rebook travelers. There were no injuries. The incident follows a troubling streak for the national carrier: a Delhi‑bound Dreamliner returned mid‑air from Hong Kong yesterday and a separate Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad recently claimed nearly 270 lives.

U.S. President Donald Trump has cut short his participation at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, departing Monday night to address the escalating Israel‑Iran crisis. He issued a dramatic warning for “everyone” in Tehran to evacuate immediately, reiterating that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon” and urging Tehran to have accepted a U.S. nuclear deal. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Trump proposed a ceasefire offer and then kick-start broader discussions. His departure disrupted planned bilateral meetings, including with Australia’s Anthony Albanese and India’s Narendra Modi. The summit struggled to achieve unity on Ukraine and the Middle East amid Trump’s opposition to communiqués and pro‑Russia remarks.

Gaza’s civil defence agency claimed 20 people were killed and over 200 injured after Israeli troops opened fire near an aid site in Rafah. Victims were reportedly waiting near the Al-Alam roundabout for food from a US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation centre. The Red Cross said it received 200 casualties in one incident—the highest yet. Israel’s military said it's reviewing the report. Aid has been limited since March, prompting widespread hunger. Medical officials said people are being killed while seeking basic food. The Gaza Health Ministry claims over 55,000 deaths in the conflict, now in its 21st month. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his continued support amid Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran. In an interview with ABC News, Netanyahu said, “Today it’s Tel Aviv, tomorrow it’s New York. I understand America First, but I don’t understand America dead.” He accused Iran of being a global threat and praised Trump for backing Israel, calling it a “battle of good against evil.” Netanyahu warned that Iran’s ambitions extend beyond Israel, and said Israel’s campaign would continue until the “evil” regime is defeated. He reiterated appreciation for America’s alignment with Israel’s defense efforts. (PC: HT)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News that eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would “end the conflict” between the two nations. Defending Israel’s military actions, he said they are aimed at stopping Iran’s regional aggression and nuclear ambitions, which he called a global threat. Netanyahu warned that Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs endanger not just Israel, but also the US, Europe, and Arab countries. Referring to Iran’s threats of “Death to America,” he emphasized urgent action. He praised Donald Trump’s stance on Iran, despite reports that Trump had earlier blocked such an Israeli plan to prevent escalation. (PC: India Today)

A British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight from London Heathrow to Chennai turned back mid-air on Sunday due to a technical issue. Flight BA35 dumped fuel over the Strait of Dover and landed safely at 1:50 PM. Hours later, an Air India Dreamliner from Hong Kong to Delhi also returned as a precaution. Both planes are the same model involved in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 people. BA confirmed the Heathrow return was “a standard precaution” and not an emergency. Investigations are underway. Boeing and Air India have not issued statements on the incidents. (PC: The Standard)

India’s next population Census will be conducted in 2027, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced. For the first time, caste enumeration will be part of the exercise. The Census will be held in two phases—House Listing and Population Enumeration—with digital tools and self-enumeration options. The reference date is March 1, 2027, except for Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it is October 1, 2026. Administrative boundaries are now frozen. The pre-test phase will assess mobile app usage. Over 34 lakh personnel will participate. The NPR update has not been confirmed. Amit Shah recently reviewed preparations. (PC: The Hindu)

G7 leaders have reportedly drafted a statement affirming Israel’s right to self‑defence while asserting that Iran must “never” acquire nuclear weapons, according to Reuters sources. The proposed text also calls for de‑escalation amid the fourth day of escalating hostilities following Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” on June. Leaders emphasized the need to protect energy-market stability. However, U.S. President Trump has not yet approved the draft, and no joint communique is expected, indicating the position remains a work in progress. Formal adoption could occur later in the summit. (PC: Reuters)