Over 1,500 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, are being evacuated from Tehran to Qom, 148 km away, as Israel and Iran continue exchanging missile strikes. The Indian government requested Iran to facilitate safe relocation amid bombing in key cities. Though Iranian airspace remains shut, land borders are open for evacuations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has asked India for passport and vehicle details to coordinate exits. Students, including over 350 at Shahid Beheshti University, report sleepless nights amid explosions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in touch with J&K officials. Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" has severely escalated regional tensions. (PC: NDTV)

India's first population census since 2011 will be conducted in two phases on October 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027, the Centre announced. The digital survey will include caste data for the first time since Independence. The first phase will collect data on income, assets, and housing, while the second will focus on demographic and socio-economic details. The announcement paves the way for implementing the Women's Reservation Bill and the long-delayed delimitation exercise, both pending a new census. The Rs 4,000 crore exercise will also update the National Population Register, with the Cabinet approving digital self-enumeration for citizens. (PC: India Today)

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, stating such acts “could not occur without money and means to move funds” among terror supporters. Without naming Pakistan, FATF vowed stronger frameworks to counter terror financing. India has linked Pakistan-based groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and TRF, to the attack, and is now seeking Pakistan’s return to the FATF grey list. Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with Indian authorities highlighting cross-border financial support for terrorism. FATF is currently monitoring 24 countries for terror and money laundering risks.  

Blaise Metreweli has been named the first female chief of the UK's MI6 in its 116-year history. She will replace Sir Richard Moore this autumn. Metreweli, 47, is currently Director General “Q”, leading technology and innovation efforts against threats like China’s surveillance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called her appointment “historic”, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy said she was the “ideal” choice. A veteran of both MI6 and MI5, she has worked extensively in the Middle East and Europe. Her leadership comes as MI6 faces growing challenges from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and advancing cyber warfare. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s parliament is drafting a bill that could see the country exit the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty (NPT), state media reported. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the move is in response to recent Israeli airstrikes and a critical International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution, though no final decision has been taken. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and guided by Ayatollah Khamenei’s religious edict against weapons of mass destruction, reiterated by President Pezeshkian . Tehran blames Israel and countries backing the IAEA for escalating tensions and “preparing the ground” for the attack. Israel, not party to the NPT, is alleged to possess nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies being uniquely focused. (PC: India Today)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear energy and research, insisting its Supreme Leader’s fatwa prohibits nuclear weapons. He addressed parliament amid escalating conflict with Israel, urging national unity against what he termed “genocidal criminal aggression.” The statement comes after Israeli airstrikes killed senior Iranian military commanders and scientists, prompting Iran to fire missiles and drones into Israel. Both nations report civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Israel’s parliament is assessing legislation to withdraw from the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, while scheduled U.S.–Iran talks in Oman were canceled. Global leaders, including G7 and UN officials, are calling for diplomacy to prevent further regional escalation. (PC: News18)

Iran launched fresh missile attacks on central Israel overnight, killing 8 and injuring dozens as the Iran-Israel conflict entered its fourth day. Strikes targeted Tel Aviv, Haifa, and nearby cities. Nearly 300 have been hospitalized, according to Israeli officials. Iran’s health ministry says at least 224 have died in Israeli strikes since Friday, though independent reporting from Iran remains restricted. Israel initiated the conflict with targeted attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drones. Israeli PM Netanyahu ruled out de-escalation, while President Trump urged both sides to negotiate. Iran insists it won’t negotiate under attack. (PC: BBC)

Iran's top general has claimed that Pakistan will launch a nuclear attack on Israel if Tehran is hit with a nuclear weapon. The statement, made during a state TV interview, was quickly dismissed by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who said Islamabad had made no such commitment. Iran and Israel have exchanged missile and drone strikes since June 13, after Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites in "Operation Rising Lion." Iran retaliated with “Operation True Promise 3.” While Pakistan has backed Iran politically, no official nuclear stance has been declared publicly. A wider regional conflict continues to loom as tensions escalate. (PC: News18)

The Iran-Israel conflict has entered its fourth day, with 24 dead and 400 injured in Israel due to Iranian missile strikes, and 224 fatalities in Iran following Israeli airstrikes on key defense and nuclear-linked targets. Explosions rocked Tehran, while Tel Aviv and Haifa also witnessed destruction. Iran refused ceasefire talks while under attack, rejecting mediation from Qatar and Oman. Israel confirmed it hit the Iranian defense ministry and claimed progress against Iran’s nuclear operations. Meanwhile, Donald Trump revealed he vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader. Global fears grow over a wider Middle East war. (PC: X)

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated dramatically after Iran launched missile strikes on Israeli cities, killing 18 people. In retaliation, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Tehran residents “will soon pay the price,” accusing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of targeting civilians. Iran reported 230 deaths from earlier Israeli strikes on Quds Force command centres. Khamenei vowed to deliver "heavy blows" to Israel, sharing footage of missiles hitting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The conflict threatens to further destabilize the region, with humanitarian concerns mounting and crude oil prices spiking. International observers fear a deeper war could erupt. (PC: NDTV)