An Israeli airstrike on a residential housing complex in Tehran's Shahid Chamran district reportedly killed at least 60 people, among them 20 children, according to Iranian state TV . The strike comes amid Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations, which also claimed the lives of high-ranking IRGC commanders and senior nuclear scientists. Iranian leaders condemned the attack as a “declaration of war,” asserting civilian areas were deliberately struck . Iran fired ballistic missiles in retaliation, escalating fears of a broader regional conflict. Global leaders are calling for urgent restraint as regional tensions mount. (PC: AP)

Tata Group (Air India’s owner) announced ₹1 crore compensation per deceased victim of the June 12 Ahmedabad crash—including 33 people killed on the ground—and will fully cover medical expenses for the injured. The group will also support rebuilding the damaged BJ Medical College hostel . This aligns with aviation industry norms under the Montreal Convention, which mandates up to ₹1.5 crore per next‑of‑kin from insurance, with potential liability rising higher . Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association, Gujarat, has urged Tata to further aid affected students.

India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the commercial Axiom‑4 mission to the International Space Station, is now scheduled to launch on June 19, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, following repeated delays caused by a liquid‑oxygen leak and an ISS pressure anomaly. This marks India’s re‑entry into human spaceflight alongside Poland and Hungary, with a 14‑day mission focusing on scientific research under a joint ISRO–NASA–ESA initiative . ISRO emphasizes that all technical issues have been resolved and crew safety remains paramount before updating future launch details. (PC: X)

British-Indian passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, an emergency exit window seat on Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London—miraculously survived the June 12 crash that killed 241 people on board and dozens on the ground . Experts say his survival was due less to the seat number and more to a rare set of factors: proximity to the reinforced wing section, a broken exit door, and unique crash dynamics that left his section intact . While studies suggest rear or wing-adjacent seats typically offer better odds, seating alone cannot guarantee safety. Preparedness—knowing exits and following crew instructions—is vital. (PC: NDTV)

Preliminary insights into the June 12 Air India AI‑171 crash from Ahmedabad highlight possible human error in critical early-stage procedures. A young IndiGo pilot noted the rarity of issues just after liftoff, suggesting possible dual-engine failure or bird strike, pending black‑box analysis. A former crew member stressed pre-flight and cockpit checks are complex, involving countless safeguards—and that routine pressures can lead to overlooked steps. Investigators are examining flap and gear configurations alongside thrust issues, while authorities analyse chain‑reaction scenarios rather than single errors. The final report might take up to a year. (PC: The Print)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a European tour from June 15–17, making historic stops in both Cyprus and Croatia en route to and from the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. The Cyprus visit—only the third by an Indian premier—aims to deepen ties amid Turkey–Pakistan solidarity and Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency . Following the summit, his journey continues to Croatia, marking the first-ever Indian prime ministerial visit, reinforcing bilateral defence and economic cooperation . Modi’s attendance at the G7 also offers an opportunity to reset strained Canada ties, highlighted by diplomatic tensions over Sikh separatist issues. (PC: ANI)

In a grim update following the Air India Express plane crash near Ahmedabad, the body of an air hostess was found in the tail section of the wreckage. The Boeing 787, operating as Flight IX-171, crashed minutes after takeoff, killing over 240 people, including passengers and residents of a nearby hostel. Rescue teams recovered the black box—both the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder—which will be sent for analysis to determine the cause. Preliminary investigations suggest a technical failure may be behind the crash. Officials are now focusing on decoding the black box and continuing forensic identification of victims.

India’s Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, set to become the first Indian aboard the ISS in over 40 years, will now launch on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) on June 19, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 . Earlier launches (May 29, June 8–11) faced delays due to weather, a LOX leak during Falcon 9 hot-fire tests, an engine actuator issue, and an air leak aboard the ISS’s Zvezda module . ISRO emphasized astronaut safety and mission integrity while coordinating with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. Shukla will conduct seven India-designed experiments alongside international crew members Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański, and Tibor Kapu. (PC: India Today)

On June 13, 2025, Iran retaliated with a large-scale strike—launching over 100 drones followed by dozens of ballistic missiles—in response to Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted Iranian nuclear sites (including Natanz) and killed senior IRGC officials and nuclear scientists . Israel’s Iron Dome and U.S.-aided defenses intercepted the bulk of the assault, though several missiles and drones penetrated, striking regions such as Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, injuring civilians and damaging property . Both nations now operate under high alert as global leaders call for urgent de-escalation amid fears of expanded conflict.

In the chilling Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, new revelations have emerged from the homestay owner where Sonam and her husband Raja Raghuvanshi had checked in on May 27. According to the owner, the couple disappeared for several hours after arrival, raising suspicions about their movements. Despite Sonam claiming she was fasting, the duo had dinner that evening. Raja was later found murdered near Wei Sawdong Falls, with Sonam allegedly orchestrating the crime. Police say she hired contract killers with her lover, Raj Kushwaha. Sonam surrendered on June 9 and remains in custody. (PC: Mint)