Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, a top contender for India's head coach post the 2024 T20 World Cup, has reportedly laid out conditions to the BCCI's Cricket Administrative Committee. These include gaining full control over cricket operations, selecting his support staff, and controversially, considering dropping senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami if they don't perform well in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Gambhir also seeks to form a separate Test cricket team and start planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup from the outset.            

British PM Rishi Sunak accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of lacking a strategy to address the migrant crisis, suggesting that illegal migrants in Calais are waiting for a Labour government to ease their entry into the UK. Sunak emphasized that a Labour victory would end current migration controls, including the Rwanda relocation policy. The UK has recorded 12,901 Channel migrants in 2024’s first half, a new high. Sunak argued this demonstrates the need for stringent policies, while Starmer warned the asylum backlog could double if Conservatives remain in power.

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has returned with the first samples from the Moon’s far side, landing in Inner Mongolia after a 53-day mission. The mission, which began in May, successfully retrieved soil and rock samples from a crater near the Moon’s south pole. These samples could provide crucial insights into the Moon's formation and geological differences. President Xi Jinping praised the mission, highlighting its role in advancing space exploration. This marks China's sixth lunar mission and emphasizes its growing capabilities in space, as the nation aims for a crewed lunar landing by 2030.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell urged US universities to prioritize recruiting Indian students for science and technology programs over Chinese students, reflecting security concerns. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Campbell noted that while Chinese students should continue studying humanities in the US, access to sensitive technology in science programs should be limited. He emphasized the need for more Indian students in STEM fields due to deteriorating US-China relations and fears of intellectual property theft. Campbell also stressed the importance of maintaining some academic ties with China, despite challenges posed by Beijing’s policies.

A Korean Air Boeing 737 Max 8 experienced a sudden cabin pressure failure, causing it to drop 27,000 feet in 15 minutes on a flight from Incheon to Taichung. The incident, which occurred near Jeju Island, left 17 passengers needing medical treatment for ear pain and hyperventilation, though none suffered severe injuries. Terrified passengers, including children, used oxygen masks as the plane descended. The flight resumed the next day on a different aircraft. Korean Air is investigating the incident and has apologized to affected passengers, providing accommodation and support.

Julian Assange, 52, founder of Wikileaks and an Australian citizen, has been freed from the UK’s Belmarsh prison after nearly five years. A deal with US authorities allows him to plead guilty to one charge under the Espionage Act but serve no further time. Assange, who had faced potential extradition to the US over leaked military documents, boarded a flight to Australia. His release follows years of legal battles and international controversies over his disclosures. His wife, Stella, expressed relief and highlighted their focus on family and recovery. The formal court approval of the deal is expected on June 26 in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Moscow in early July for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking his first visit to Russia since 2019 and since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. This brief official visit aims to underscore India's strategic autonomy and ongoing dialogue with Russia despite global tensions. The visit's exact date, speculated to be around July 8, is yet to be confirmed officially. Modi's engagement will focus on reinforcing bilateral relations while balancing India's growing ties with Western nations.

The Trinamool Congress expressed displeasure over Congress's hasty nomination of K. Suresh for the Lok Sabha Speaker role, claiming they weren't consulted. Congress sources revealed the decision was made 10 minutes before the noon deadline, leaving no time for broader discussions. Suresh, who will contest against BJP's Om Birla, has sought Trinamool's support. Senior Trinamool leader Sudip Bandopadhyay criticized the lack of communication, while Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of ignoring opposition demands for the Deputy Speaker position, leading to the last-minute nomination.

Foxconn, a key Apple supplier, faces criticism for reportedly excluding married women from job opportunities at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. A Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn's hiring policies discriminated against married women due to perceived "post-marriage issues" such as family duties and higher absenteeism. This practice, contradicting both Apple and Foxconn's codes of conduct, has been justified by the company citing concerns over production interference by traditional jewelry worn by married Hindu women. Despite acknowledgments of past shortcomings, discriminatory practices reportedly continued in 2023 and 2024, prompting further scrutiny and calls for reform.

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a stringent ordinance to combat examination paper leaks. Approved on Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance imposes penalties ranging from two years to life imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 crore. It covers exams held by UP Public Service Commission, Subordinates Service Selection Board, UP Board, and state universities. Offenses include distributing fake question papers and creating fake employment websites. The ordinance mandates non-bailable trials and allows property attachment and blacklisting of guilty parties.