Telegram blocked in India until June 22

The National Testing Agency (NTA) said the government has restricted Telegram in India for a limited period and asked the platform to disable message editing, after cheating rackets used it to spread fake NEET leak claims. The steps are aimed at protecting candidates ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on June 21.

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year high on Tuesday, ​marking another landmark step in normalising monetary policy as it focused on taming price pressures from the energy shock caused by the Iran war.

China detains two leaders of influential underground church

An influential Protestant church in China has said two of its leaders were detained after more than dozens of congregants, including children, were rounded up for interrogation.

Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes near Indonesia’s Palu

A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Eight people dead after US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes in California

Eight people, including two Boeing employees, have been killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed immediately after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California.

Trump says deal to end war with Iran already signed and details to be released ’pretty soon’

US President Donald Trump has said a preliminary deal to end the war with Iran has already been signed and suggested that details of the agreement are set to be published ’’pretty soon’’.

Pakistan’s low health spending keeps mothers and children in peril: Report

A child’s future begins long before birth. It begins in the health of the mother, the quality of prenatal care, the availability of trained medical staff and the accessibility of healthcare facilities.

Pakistan warns of economic challenges threatening 2026-27 budget outlook

Pakistan’s government has cautioned that several economic and external factors could significantly impact the country’s fiscal outlook for the 2026-27 financial year, according to a fiscal risk statement submitted to parliament.

Russian attack sets fire to centuries-old religious site in Kyiv and kills 5 in Kharkiv

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine killed five rescuers in Kharkiv and wounded at least 20 people in the capital Kyiv on Monday as strikes set apartment buildings ablaze and sparked a fire at one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks.

Macron and Modi meet in France for Indian tech showcase

Bharat Innovates brings together Indian deep-tech startups, higher education institutions and investors. The 2026 edition is taking place in Nice from 14 to 16 June.

Norwegian crown princess’s son found guilty of two counts of rape

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and given four years in prison.

Trump celebrates 80th birthday with Iran deal and UFC cage fight

Trump delayed his attendance to the French region of Evian where leaders of the Group of Seven – or G7 – are set to meet to host his UFC fight birthday event.

American singer Oliver Tree listed in deadly helicopter crash in Brazil

Two helicopters have collided in mid-air over the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, killing all six people on board, local authorities said.

Oil prices slide after Pakistan announces deal between US and Iran

Oil prices fell in early trade in Asia on Monday after Pakistan, which has been mediating an end to the US-Iran war, announced a deal that President Donald Trump said would see the reopening of the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

Swiss voters reject 10 million population cap

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million.

US-Iran ‘peace deal’ announced; Trump says Strait of Hormuz reopening

United States President Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire deal with Iran has been agreed to and that toll-free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will now begin.

China-linked influence operations tapping US divisions on AI

A – China-linked influence campaigns are targeting America’s growing divisions on contested artificial intelligence issues, like the construction of data centres, US researchers say.

India revives three decade-old Oman gas pipeline plan

India’s latest effort to revive a deep-sea natural gas pipeline connecting Oman with Gujarat is being driven by growing concerns over energy security and the vulnerability of maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Yet the proposal itself is far from new.

India bets big on domestic drones for future warfare

For decades, India’s military relied primarily on troops, fighter aircraft, satellites and conventional surveillance systems to monitor its borders.

Trump says US-Iran deal to be signed on Sunday as Tehran casts doubt on timing

President Donald Trump has said a deal to end fighting between the US and Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, after Iran cast doubt on the timing.

Pakistan PM says US-Iran peace deal signing expected within 24 hours

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz ​Sharif said on ‌Saturday that the United States and ​Iran have ​agreed to a framework ⁠for a ​peace deal that ​would end the months-long conflict in the Middle ​East, with ​a final text of ‌the ⁠deal reached.

UAE to unlock billions of dollars for Iran: Reuters

The United Arab Emirates has agreed to unlock billions of dollars for Iran, four sources said, in a tactical shift after weeks ​of Iranian attacks on the wealthy Gulf Arab state during the U.S.-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic.

Philippines protests China’s sanctions against its defense chief

The Philippine government said Friday that China’s imposition of sanctions, including an entry ban, against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was “an unfriendly act” that could further strain relations, while he vowed to continue defending Manila’s interest against Beijing’s aggression.

Bangladesh cricketer Nayeem Hasan alleges police harassment in Chattogram

Bangladesh Test off-spinner Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was harassed and assaulted by members of a law enforcement agency in his hometown of Chattogram on Saturday night, with local police authorities promising a full investigation into the incident.

‘Resurrected’ Mexican headlines start of World Cup

It was a moment Raul Jimenez had waited his whole life for - and one that seemed impossible a few years ago.

SpaceX IPO makes Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire

Few business leaders have been as deeply embedded in popular culture as Elon Musk, the ambitious entrepreneur who has become a central figure in internet culture and amassed a fortune that has ​made him the world’s first trillionaire.

Empty seats at World Cup match renews concerns over ticket prices

FIFA reported an attendance of 44,985 for Thursday’s World Cup ​match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in ‌Guadalajara, but swathes of empty seats around the stadium renewed concerns over ticket pricing and demand for the expanded tournament.

Pakistan budget raises defence spending, squeezes development to meet IMF goals

Pakistan proposed an 18.77 trillion rupees ($67.49 billion) budget on Friday, raising defence spending, limiting development expenditure and setting a steep tax target as the government tries to keep its IMF programme on track without provoking political fallout ​at home.

Facebook and Instagram down for millions as users report issues

Facebook and several other Meta-owned platforms appear to have gone down worldwide, leaving millions of users unable to access their accounts.

U.S.-Iran peace memorandum could be signed on Sunday in Geneva, source says

A memorandum between the United States and Iran to halt the war in ​the Gulf could be signed as soon as Sunday, a Western source told Reuters on Friday, with Geneva emerging as the likeliest venue.