Hindu

• Asian stock markets experienced a sharp retreat from record highs, with South Korea’s KOSPI tumbling 8.2% and Japan’s Nikkei slumping nearly 5%. • The selloff was triggered by concerns over Apple price hikes impacting the chip sector, while Nasdaq futures skidded 1.7% and the yen remained near 40-year lows. • Despite the volatility, the KOSPI recorded a massive 62% gain for the quarter, while Chinese blue-chips and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 2.9% and 2.4% respectively.

• A UN agency has paused its initiative to evacuate ships from the Strait of Hormuz following a recent attack on a vessel in the region. • Tensions remain high as the U.S. and Iran issue conflicting statements while negotiators continue to push for a final, comprehensive peace deal. • A senior Lebanese military official disputed claims of an Israeli pullback, stating that Israeli forces continue to strictly enforce a buffer zone.

• The Indian government restored liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies to commercial consumers, including hotels and restaurants, to pre-crisis levels on Thursday. • This move lifts sector-specific restrictions that were previously imposed due to supply disruptions caused by the recent conflict in West Asia. • The decision signals that energy supply concerns are easing as global markets begin to stabilize.

• On June 25, the Indian stock market saw cautious gains, with the Sensex closing at 77,100.47 (up 109.25 points) and the Nifty 50 ending at 24,056.00 (up 34.35 points). • The market growth was primarily supported by a decline in crude oil prices, which returned to levels seen before the Iran conflict. • Additional positive momentum was driven by recent government policy measures designed to strengthen the rupee and attract more overseas investment inflows.

• A Global Peace Conference was held in Hyderabad on Thursday, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, and social leaders from nations including Russia, France, and the United States. • Organized by a news channel and Bliss Berg Future of Hope, the event focused on promoting humanitarian values, peaceful coexistence, and collaborative diplomacy. • The meeting underscores the urgent need for international cooperation as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global stability.

• Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to insist on designated transit routes. • This dispute persists despite ongoing ceasefire discussions between the United States and Iran aimed at stabilizing the region. • Foreign policy expert Col. Rajeev Agarwal notes that Oman has historically acted as a peacemaker, with the Omani Foreign Minister mediating right up until U.S. attacks began.

• National data reveals that Assam has accounted for nearly 62% of all Japanese encephalitis (JE) deaths in India since 2018, with outbreaks typically peaking between July and August. • Expert Athira Elssa Johnson emphasizes the urgent need for India to improve controls on food-borne infections, which are being exacerbated by climate change, chemical contaminants, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). • The report further highlights the growing threat of drug-resistant malaria, which is complicating current medical treatment and disease elimination efforts.

• Forty people have drowned in France as citizens sought relief from a severe heatwave currently gripping Europe. • Spain's meteorological agency issued red alerts after temperatures peaked above 45℃ in Andujar on June 22, 2026, with forecasts predicting further highs of 44℃. • The extreme heat is disrupting daily life across the continent, forcing a primary school in Tervuren, Belgium, to move final exams to a church.

• Iran and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end the conflict in West Asia and ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open. • As part of the agreement, fighting in Lebanon is set to cease to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. • Following the deal, eleven India-bound ships have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz, restoring critical maritime trade routes.

• Global and Indian stock markets weakened on Tuesday following a massive 10% plunge in South Korea’s Kospi index, which briefly triggered a circuit breaker. • The sell-off in AI-heavy Korean markets led domestic investors in India to book profits, causing the Nifty 50 to drop 278.80 points (1.16%) to 23,824.10. • The BSE Sensex mirrored this decline, shedding 893.39 points to settle at 76,200.68 as cautious sentiment spread through Mumbai.

• National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted counterparts from the BRICS grouping in New Delhi for a two-day meeting to discuss the global security architecture. • Key attendees included Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Iran's Ghadir Nezamipour, and Brazil's Carlos Cozendey. • The summit focused heavily on recent developments in West Asia, highlighting the region's impact on international stability.

• The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who was killed in an alleged fake police encounter on June 17, 2026. • The incident occurred in the Bhojpur district under the jurisdiction of the Shahpur police station. • The case has sparked significant outcry from the public and ruling party leaders because Tiwari had no prior criminal record and was known for his social work.

• Seven people were killed following an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu on June 21, 2026. • The NEET-UG retest was conducted across the country under tight security measures to ensure exam integrity. • Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for the right to vote to be elevated to a fundamental right, citing "blatantly partisan functioning" by the Election Commission of India.

• Researchers discovered evidence of plague outbreaks among hunter-gatherers near Lake Baikal in Siberia dating back 5,500 years. • The findings challenge the long-held scientific belief that the plague only became a significant threat after the rise of dense, crowded farming communities. • This discovery suggests that early nomadic populations were susceptible to the disease much earlier than previously thought.

• President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will jointly launch a series of development projects in Odisha this Saturday. • The initiatives represent a massive financial investment totaling over ₹47,600 crore for the state. • This event is considered a rare and significant occasion as it brings together both the President and the Prime Minister for state-level programs.

• The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has identified regulatory, technological, and AI-related risks, alongside derivatives concentration, in its IPO draft prospectus. • The exchange disclosed a history of technical failures, including a February 2021 event that halted all trading segments for over five hours due to critical system glitches. • Cybersecurity threats were highlighted, specifically a massive DDoS attack in May 2025 that saw nearly 395 million hits within an 11-minute window.

• Congress leader Rai has demanded an independent judicial probe led by a High Court judge into alleged financial irregularities within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. • The allegations are currently being investigated by a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Uttar Pradesh government. • Rai dismissed the current SIT investigation as an "eyewash," arguing that a government-led probe lacks the necessary impartiality to uncover the truth.

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has raised over 50 billion yuan ($7.40 billion) in its first funding round, according to a report by The Information. • The funding has pushed the company's valuation to exceed $50 billion, marking a significant financial milestone for the AI firm. • The investment utilized an unusual deal structure specifically designed to ensure that the company's founders maintain operational and strategic control.

• The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced on Tuesday that it will launch statewide demonstrations across all district headquarters in Bihar on Wednesday. • The protests are aimed at the NDA-led government to condemn alleged atrocities against women, widespread unemployment, corruption, and rising prices. • This mobilization signals an escalation in political opposition within Bihar as the RJD seeks to highlight systemic governance failures.

• The U.S. and Iran have reached a peace deal, with the official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19. • India and France have adopted the "Innovation Roadmap 2030," a strategic framework aimed at enhancing technological collaboration between the two nations. • In sports, Indian cricketer Richa is highlighted as a critical asset for the team's success in the T20 World Cup following a high-pressure appearance at Edgbaston.

• Farmers who previously cultivated the land where the Noida International Airport was constructed will board flights from the facility this Monday. • This event serves as a symbolic gesture to mark the transition of the region and the beginning of a new development chapter. • The initiative highlights the social integration of displaced landowners into the operational phase of the massive infrastructure project.

• Researchers have developed two new 3D structures in reticular chemistry by linking specific molecules, marking a significant breakthrough in material design. • One of these new nanographene-based materials achieves a record-breaking surface area of 5,000 square meters per gram. • These findings are critical as they expand the possibilities for designing advanced materials specifically for efficient gas storage.

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated during an INDIA alliance meeting on June 12, 2026, that the Congress party does not require the "neutrality of the Indian State" to operate. • Following the meeting, the Congress party released the audio and transcript of the proceedings on Friday to provide transparency regarding the discussions. • This political development coincides with other major headlines, including Canada earning its first World Cup point and India's retail inflation rising to 3.9%.

• The Congress party announced on June 11, 2026, that it will legally and politically challenge the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election. • Other major headlines include Mexico's victory in the World Cup and reported delays regarding the AI-171 crash investigation. • These events highlight a mix of high-stakes political disputes in India and significant global developments in sports and aviation safety.

• The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has reopened an investigation into a bribery case involving former Housing and Urban Development Minister R. • The case centers on allegations of corruption totaling ₹27.9 crore. • This move signals a renewed legal push to hold high-ranking former officials accountable for financial misconduct in Tamil Nadu.

• Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President of Microsoft India Development Center, stated in a blog post on Thursday that AI will create more job opportunities than it disrupts. • Kumar highlighted that the rapid evolution of technology is significantly shortening the lifespan of technical skills, necessitating a shift toward continuous learning. • The shift emphasizes the importance of engineers upskilling and adapting their workflows to collaborate effectively with AI technology rather than being replaced by it.

• The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) renewed its demand on Thursday for a judicial probe into the AI-171 crash. • The FIP urged authorities to withhold any interim investigation reports to prevent public confusion and speculation. • This move highlights concerns over the transparency and accuracy of the current investigation process.

• A vacancy in the Upper House has occurred following the resignation of AIADMK leader C.Ve. Shanmugam on May 7. • Shanmugam stepped down after winning the election to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly representing the Mailam constituency in Villupuram district. • This political shift reflects the transition of leadership roles within the AIADMK as members move from national to state-level governance.