The Trump administration is moving to shut down the USDA’s Bee Research Laboratory at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, one of the oldest and largest federal bee research facilities in the United States. The lab has played a major role in studying honeybee health, colony collapse and crop pollination. Reports said the closure is part of a wider federal restructuring and budget-cutting exercise. Social media users linked the move to past scientific studies exploring whether bee venom could help kill cancer cells, though there is no evidence the closure is connected to those studies. Scientists and beekeepers have expressed concern over the decision. (PC: X)

The Defence Ministry has issued requests for proposals to three shortlisted private sector bidders for developing five prototypes of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project worth ₹15,000 crore.   The shortlisted bidders include Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen and Toubro with Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Forge with Bharat Earth Movers Limited. Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency, the AMCA will initially use GE-414 engines, with future variants expected to feature made-in-India Safran engines.   The first prototype is expected by 2027, while the fighter’s maiden flight is likely between 2028 and 2029 before serial production begins in the mid-2030s. (PC: HT)  

Israel launched heavy airstrikes across southern Lebanon after issuing large-scale evacuation orders covering areas south of the Zahrani River. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in and around the coastal city of Tyre.   Videos from the area showed collapsed buildings, fires and residents fleeing through smoke-filled streets. Lebanese media reported casualties, including civilians allegedly killed while escaping threatened villages. Shelters in nearby Sidon have reportedly reached full capacity as displacement increases.   The escalation comes despite an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict. (PC: BBC)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed the controversy surrounding CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, saying he takes responsibility for discrepancies and inconvenience faced by students. Speaking after a meeting with CBSE officials, Pradhan assured strict action if any irregularities are found in the evaluation process.   The controversy erupted after students complained about blurred scanned answer sheets, unchecked answers, portal crashes and payment failures during re-evaluation applications. Pradhan defended the digital evaluation system as transparent and student-friendly but admitted students faced stress during the process. He also urged political parties not to increase anxiety among students while the issue is being resolved. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan’s Punjab government has put on hold its plan to restore the original historical names of several roads and streets in Lahore after criticism from extremist groups. The Lahore Heritage Areas Revival committee, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had earlier approved restoring pre-Partition names linked to the city’s Hindu and Sikh heritage.   However, officials later said no final decision had been taken. According to reports, criticism from hardline groups forced the government to step back to avoid controversy. Historic names such as Ram Gali, Laxmi Chowk and Krishan Nagar were among those proposed for restoration under the heritage revival initiative. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Air Force’s frontline Su-30MKI fighter jets are set to receive a major technology upgrade under the ambitious ‘Super Sukhoi’ programme. The Ministry of Defence has issued a request for proposal to equip the aircraft with advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing GPS systems.   The upgrade aims to strengthen the jets against electronic warfare threats, including GPS disruption and signal spoofing during combat operations. The Su-30MKI, considered the backbone of the IAF fleet and a key asset during Operation Sindoor, will also receive enhanced electronic warfare capabilities under the modernisation programme.   The project is part of India’s larger push to improve indigenous defence technology and extend the operational life of the fighter aircraft for future missions. (PC: Economic Times)

Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accusing fellow party MP Kalyan Banerjee of repeated verbal abuse and misogynistic behaviour inside Parliament. In her complaint, the Barasat MP alleged that Banerjee used disrespectful language towards her and other women MPs and sought permission to file a formal complaint. The development comes amid growing internal tensions within the TMC after recent organisational reshuffles. Ghosh Dastidar had recently resigned from key party posts, while Kalyan Banerjee was appointed as the party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha. (PC: The Hindu)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a US airbase early Thursday in response to American strikes near Bandar Abbas airport and the Strait of Hormuz. The US military earlier said it shot down four Iranian drones and struck a drone control site that allegedly threatened American forces and commercial shipping. Iran warned Washington of a “more decisive” response if attacks continue. The fresh military exchange has further strained the fragile ceasefire between the two countries. Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, also pushed international crude oil prices higher in Asian trading. (PC: India Today)

The third edition of London Mahotsav will be held on June 27 and 28, 2026, at the Sattavis Patidar Centre in Wembley, London. Organisers said the two-day festival will celebrate Bengali culture through music, dance, literature, cinema, fashion and food. The event is expected to bring together the Indian Bengali diaspora from across the United Kingdom. Performers and brands from Kolkata are also set to participate in the festival. After successful editions in 2024 and 2025, organisers said London Mahotsav 2026 will be the biggest edition so far, featuring cultural performances, exhibitions and culinary experiences. (PC: T2)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that he would resign from the post following instructions from the Congress high command, paving the way for a leadership change in the state. Addressing cabinet colleagues at a breakfast meeting in Bengaluru, the veteran leader said the party leadership would decide the next chief minister. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, considered the frontrunner for the post, attended the meeting along with senior ministers. The development follows days of speculation over a power-sharing arrangement within the Congress. Siddaramaiah assured full support to whoever is chosen as his successor. (PC: X)