A helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot, en route from Dehradun to Kedarnath crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand on June 15, 2025. The aircraft lost contact mid-flight and was later confirmed to have crashed between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund. Local police, SDRF, and rescue teams rushed to the site, but poor visibility and rugged terrain hampered operations. The status of all six onboard remains unconfirmed. This is the fourth aviation mishap in the Char Dham route recently, intensifying concerns about flight safety during the pilgrimage season. An official probe into the incident is underway. (PC: Hindustan Times)

India clarified it did not participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s June 14 statement strongly denouncing Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iran, which targeted military and civilian infrastructure with civilian casualties . New Delhi maintained its long-standing position, expressed June 13, urging both Iran and Israel to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to de‑escalate tensions . External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart to convey global concern and pressed for restraint and a return to diplomacy . India emphasized its independent foreign policy within multilateral platforms like SCO. (PC: Reuters)

Israel has launched an unprecedented aerial campaign across Iran, targeting over 150 sites—including nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, military complexes, and key energy infrastructure. Residential towers in Tehran were devastated, killing around 60 people, including children, and topping 78 fatalities in initial strikes . In retaliation, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel; most were intercepted, though at least three Israelis died. Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. in Oman have been canceled. India, amid broader SCO condemnations, has urged restraint and diplomacy to prevent further escalation. (PC: Reuters)

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, slamming into a BJ Medical College hostel and canteen. Of 242 onboard, 241 died; at least 33 more perished on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The black box was recovered, though the voice recorder remains missing. India’s aviation regulator mandated fleet‑wide Boeing 787 inspections, including engine and thrust checks. The DGCA‑ordered safety reviews are ongoing. Air India is providing an interim ₹25 lakh, plus medical care and relief flights, and deploying support teams on site. (PC: ABC & AP News)

US President Donald Trump earned $57.7 million from a cryptocurrency-related venture within a year, according to a report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Trump’s earnings stemmed from licensing fees through CIC Digital LLC and CIC Ventures LLC, connected to his NFT project launched in December 2022. These entities also facilitated payments in Ethereum for the Trump Digital Trading Cards. Trump, previously a crypto skeptic, has since embraced the digital currency space. Despite legal battles, including a 34-count felony conviction in New York, his financial disclosures reflect robust earnings from diverse sources, with cryptocurrency ventures becoming a significant contributor by 2023. (PC: AP News)

British PM Sir Keir Starmer has announced a statutory national inquiry into grooming gangs, accepting Baroness Louise Casey’s recommendation following her audit of child sexual exploitation across the UK. Initially against a full inquiry he preferred implementing existing recommendations and funding five local reviews Starmer reversed course after reading every word of Casey’s report. The audit found widespread abuse of vulnerable girls, often white, by group-based gangs, as local authorities hesitated to act over “fears of being labelled racist”. The new inquiry, empowered to compel witnesses under the Inquiries Act, aims to expose systemic failures. Conservative critics, including Kemi Badenoch, say the government wasted six months delaying action. (PC: Getty Images)

In a significant anti-Maoist operation in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, four Maoists, including three women, were killed during an encounter with security forces. The joint operation, led by Hawk Force and police personnel, occurred in the Bahela police station area on Friday. The slain Maoists were affiliated with the Tanda Dalam group, and authorities recovered weapons including an AK-47 and a 315 bore rifle. Police stated the deceased carried collective rewards of ₹47 lakh. Balaghat, a Maoist-affected area bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, has seen intensified combing operations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised the security forces, emphasizing his government’s commitment to eliminating extremism and ensuring the state's safety. (PC: Pragativadi & BBC)

The NTA has officially released the NEET‑UG 2025 final answer key and results on June 14, for the exam held on May 4, with over 22.7 lakh registrants and 20.8 lakh takers. The cut‑off percentile dropped notably: General/EWS from 720‑162 in 2024 to 686‑144 in 2025; OBC/SC/ST and PwBD cut‑off now 143‑113, while OBC‑PwD/SC‑PwD/ST‑PwD are at 126‑113. Rajasthan’s Mahesh Kumar secured AIR 1 (99.9999547 percentile), followed by Utkarsh Awadhiya (AIR 2) and Krishang Joshi (AIR 3). Over 12.36 lakh candidates qualified and counselling is expected to begin in late June or July. (Hindustan Times)

India’s four-day intra-squad practice match against India A in Beckenham continues on Day 2, serving as crucial preparation ahead of the five‑Test England tour starting June 20. Captain Shubman Gill, in his first red-ball leadership role, impressed with a fluent half‑century on Day 1, alongside KL Rahul’s fifty and Shardul Thakur’s wicket-taking spell. Gill urged intensity in fielding and discipline in batting and bowling units. Tailenders Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh took batting drills, emphasising depth. Yashasvi Jaiswal remains under scrutiny after a modest start. Meanwhile, coach Gautam Gambhir returned to India due to a family emergency. (PC: X/BCCI)

Two Minnesota Democrats were targeted overnight on June 14, 2025, by a gunman impersonating a police officer. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in Brooklyn Park, while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded at their Champlin home and are now recovering post‑surgery. The suspect, described as a white male wearing police gear, fled after exchanging fire with arriving officers. A shelter‑in‑place alert and a statewide manhunt are underway, involving local, state, and federal agencies. Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar condemned it as targeted political violence. The public has been urged to verify any law enforcement before opening doors. (PC: Everything GP & X)