Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly rebuffed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” condemning the call as “absurd” and warning that any American military intervention would inflict “irreparable damage” on the U.S. . His televised statement highlights Iran’s determination, dismissing the idea that conflict or peace can be externally imposed. The remarks follow intense Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, with Iran retaliating via hundreds of missiles and drones—causing casualties on both sides. Khamenei also reaffirmed Iran’s peaceful uranium enrichment program, declaring it will continue. (PC: India Today)      

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the June 12 Air India crash that killed 270, was discharged from Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital and travelled to Diu to cremate his brother Ajay, who died in the crash. The brothers were flying together from Ahmedabad to London. Vishwas, a British national, said he escaped after seeing the plane door broken. His seat section fell onto a hostel’s ground floor, aiding his survival. Ajay’s body was handed over after DNA confirmation. The Boeing 787 crashed minutes after takeoff, killing 241 onboard and 29 on the ground. The funeral was held on Wednesday. (PC: HT)

The United States has shut its embassy in Jerusalem from June 18 to June 20 due to intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. The State Department cited security concerns and Israel’s Home Front Command guidance. While minor damage was reported at the US Tel Aviv branch from nearby missile impacts, no injuries occurred. American government personnel and their families have been ordered to shelter in place. Despite fears of further escalation and US President Donald Trump’s warnings to Iran, no evacuation of American citizens has been announced. Explosions rocked both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as the war entered its sixth day. (PC: TOI)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded sharply to US President Donald Trump’s call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” warning that any American military intervention would cause “irreparable damage.” In a televised address on Wednesday, Khamenei said Iran would not yield to threats or “imposed war.” He declared, “The Iranian nation will not surrender, and intelligent people don’t threaten a nation like ours.” The message comes amid escalating tensions following Israeli strikes and growing US involvement in the region. Trump has vowed full aerial control over Iran but has not yet launched a direct military offensive. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir for a closed-door lunch in Washington DC on Wednesday, according to the White House itinerary. The meeting follows recent India-Pakistan tensions after an April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir killed 26 civilians. Munir's US visit has drawn protests from overseas Pakistanis and PTI supporters, who branded him a “mass murderer” and “dictator” outside his hotel. Protesters shouted slogans like “Pakistanio ke Qatil” as Munir arrived at a public event. The lunch comes days after Munir attended the US Army Day celebrations on June 14. (PC: News18)

A new 188-page report by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) accuses the BBC of consistent bias in its coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza. Analyzing over 32,000 broadcasts and 3,800 articles from October 2023 to October 2024, the report found the BBC interrupted or dismissed genocide claims against Israel over 100 times and used emotionally charged language more often for Israeli victims. It interviewed twice as many Israelis as Palestinians and rarely labeled Israeli actions as war crimes. The CfMM called for an independent public review. The BBC responded by promising to study the findings while defending its editorial standards. (PC: The National)

Iran has warned of an “all-out war” if the United States intervenes in its conflict with Israel, following deadly Israeli strikes under Operation Rising Lion. Iranian ambassador Ali Bahreini and the foreign ministry stated they would “respond strongly” to further Israeli or American aggression. The conflict began after Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, claiming Tehran was nearing nuclear weapon capability. US President Donald Trump said Washington now has “complete and total control of the skies” over Iran. So far, 224 people in Iran and 24 in Israel have died in the escalating war. (PC: X)

India and Canada have agreed to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals following a "constructive" meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 Summit in Canada. The diplomatic breakthrough comes after a year of tensions over the 2023 killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Carney, when asked if the issue was raised, replied cautiously, emphasizing judicial processes and cooperation on transnational repression. India has repeatedly denied involvement and criticised the lack of evidence from Canada. Officials say more steps will follow to normalize bilateral relations based on shared democratic values. (PC: X)

Israel's air defence systems are nearing exhaustion, with interceptors possibly lasting only 10–12 more days, according to US intelligence cited by The Wall Street Journal. The Arrow missiles, costing $3 million each, are part of Israel's multi-layered defence now strained by Iran's continued missile attacks. Since launching Operation Rising Lion, Israel claims air superiority and destruction of a third of Iran's launchers, yet over half remain. Defence costs are estimated at $285 million nightly. Recent Iranian strikes have bypassed Israeli defences, causing damage in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Without urgent US resupply, Israel's missile defence may soon collapse. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan voices deep concern as Israel‑Iran hostilities escalate into a sixth day of airstrikes and missile exchanges. Islamabad condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian soil including nuclear sites, military infrastructure and state TV as blatant provocations, urging global action to uphold international law. With over 220 killed in Iran and hundreds injured, Tehran retaliated by firing missiles toward Israel, causing casualties and property damage. Pakistan has shut five Balochistan border crossings and repatriated students and pilgrims amid fears that Iran’s aerial reach could destabilise its own Balochistan province. Islamabad is exploring diplomatic channels to de‑escalate, emphasising the need for UN intervention and renewed diplomacy. (PC: Siasat & Bloomberg)