NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced an expansion of US-India space collaboration, including training Indian astronauts for a joint mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Following discussions between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and India’s Ajit Doval, the partnership will see ISRO astronauts trained at NASA's Johnson Space Center. This historic initiative, part of the iCET Dialogue, aims to deepen space interoperability and marks a significant step in India-US space relations. The mission's details are being finalized, signaling stronger future human spaceflight collaboration and enhanced Earth-based benefits.

A new H-1B visa rule proposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to introduce significant changes for employers and skilled professionals. Set to be published on July 8 for public comment, the rule would restrict H-1B eligibility by redefining specialty occupations to those with degrees directly related to specific jobs, reviving a controversial Trump-era provision. Business administration degrees may no longer qualify as sufficient for H-1B status. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security plans to impose higher extension fees: $4,000 for H-1B and $4,500 for L-1 visas, potentially impacting hiring practices and international MBA enrollments.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, criticizing his handling of the UGC-NET cancellation and NEET controversy. Gandhi mocked claims of Modi's influence in international matters, saying, "Modi ji is credited with stopping the Ukraine war but can't stop paper leaks in India." He accused the BJP's parent organization of capturing the education system, leading to recurring exam leaks. Gandhi likened the situation to the adverse effects of demonetization on the economy and called for accountability and reform in the education sector.

A study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group reveals that human-induced climate change has made recent extreme heatwaves in the US southwest and Mexico 35 times more likely. The heatwave, intensified by fossil fuel emissions, has led to deadly temperatures and claimed lives across the region. Scientists emphasize that as global temperatures rise, heatwaves like these will become more frequent and severe, posing grave risks to human health and exacerbating economic costs. The study underscores the urgent need for climate action to mitigate future climate-related disasters.

The Indian rupee weakened to a record low of 83.48 against the US dollar due to a strong American currency and increasing global crude oil prices. At the interbank market, the rupee opened at 83.43 before sliding further. Forex experts attributed the decline to subdued domestic equity markets despite continued foreign capital inflows. Anand James from Geojit Financial Services noted the rupee's momentum was halted by external factors, including the dollar index rising marginally. Meanwhile, in local markets, the BSE Sensex dropped 72.43 points, while the NSE Nifty fell by 30.25 points amidst mixed investor sentiment.              

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir today. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation for 84 development projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore. Projects include road infrastructure, water supply schemes, and higher education facilities. Modi will also launch the JKCIP project worth Rs 1,800 crore, benefiting 15 lakh people. This evening, he will attend the "Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K" event in Srinagar, distributing over 2,000 government appointment letters. On June 21, he will lead International Yoga Day celebrations at SKICC, promoting the theme "Yoga for Self and Society."

Four men in Bihar, including NEET aspirant Anurag Yadav, confessed to receiving the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper the night before the test. Yadav memorized the answers and found the same questions in the exam. His uncle, Sikandar, and two others, Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, were involved in the leak. They charged up to Rs 40 lakh per student for leaked papers. Nearly 24 lakh students took the exam on May 5. Allegations of leaks and grace marks sparked nationwide protests. The Education Minister denied the claims, while the Supreme Court demanded fair treatment for all candidates.

A Saudi diplomat reported that 68 Indian nationals died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, bringing the total death toll to 645. Many deaths were due to natural causes and extreme heat. Among the dead were also 323 Egyptians and 60 Jordanians. Fatalities were confirmed by countries including Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, and Tunisia. Saudi Arabia has not released official fatality numbers but noted over 2,700 cases of heat exhaustion on Sunday. The diplomat mentioned that some Indian pilgrims are still missing, with further details expected soon.

Just Stop Oil activists sprayed private jets orange at Stansted Airport, targeting Taylor Swift's plane. The incident happened early Thursday morning. Police arrested two women, ages 22 and 28, for criminal damage. The activists cut through the fence and used fire extinguishers filled with paint. They demanded an end to fossil fuels by 2030. Swift’s plane wasn’t at the airfield during the protest. The airport briefly suspended operations but reported no flight disruptions. Essex Police assured the public of their readiness to handle such incidents and maintain airport security.

The Allahabad High Court dismissed Ayushi Patel’s petition about her NEET 2024 result, finding she used fake documents. Patel claimed her OMR sheet was torn, affecting her result. The National Testing Agency (NTA) showed the court the original, undamaged OMR sheet. The court ruled the NTA can take legal action against Patel. Patel’s viral video alleging irregularities was shared by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused Gandhi of spreading falsehoods and demanded an apology.