Rohit Sharma marks 18 years since international debut
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has commemorated the 18th anniversary of his international debut on 23 June 2007, with a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
Rohit, aged 19 at the time, was handed his first cap during a One Day International against Ireland at Stormont, Belfast. The match, impacted by rain, saw India bowl first and restrict Ireland to 193. India chased the revised target of 171 in 34.5 overs, bolstered by strong performances from Gautam Gambhir (80*) and Sourav Ganguly (73). Rohit, batting at number seven, did not get a chance to bat or bowl but made an early impact in the field. In his Instagram post, he shared a photo of his India helmet with the words “Forever grateful” and the date “23/06/07”.
Sharma later cemented his place as one of India’s premier batsmen, especially in white-ball cricket, breaking records and earning captaincy honours across formats.
Indian Army Greenlights DRDO-Designed CQB Carbines
The Indian Army has approved the procurement of over 400,000 close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines, with Bharat Forge’s Kalyani Strategic Systems securing the contract as the lowest bidder.
The 5.56 × 45 mm carbines, designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment and produced by Bharat Forge’s subsidiary, won the tender on 23 June 2025. The deal, valued at nearly ₹2,000 crore, marks one of the largest single orders for small arms since the INSAS rifle’s induction.
The contract covers the modernisation requirement, replacing ageing 9 mm Sterling carbines with more accurate, modular weapons featuring Picatinny rails and enhanced field performance .
Bharat Forge’s recent tender success also underlines the government’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and domestic defence manufacturing. Production will take place at Pune, strengthening local industry and logistics. This procurement addresses long‑standing operational needs in close‑quarter and urban warfare.
Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ Soars to Impressive ₹59.9 Cr by Sunday
Aamir Khan’s much‑anticipated sports comedy‑drama Sitaare Zameen Par has earned ₹59.9 crore net in India by the end of its opening weekend. The film launched on Friday, 20 June, and amassed ₹10.7 crore on day one, followed by ₹20.2 crore on Saturday and approximately ₹29 crore on Sunday.
Directed by R.S. Prasanna, the film stands as a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par (2007). It features Aamir alongside Genelia Deshmukh and ten debutant actors with neurodivergence in a story about a suspended basketball coach guiding a team of players with intellectual disabilities.
The film ranks as the fourth‑highest opening weekend of 2025, trailing only behind Chhaava, Housefull 5 and Sky Force, underscoring its solid commercial launch. Critics and audiences alike have praised its warm, comedic tone, marking a strong beginning in theatres.
Bomb blast kills 9‑year‑old girl during Kaliganj vote count
A crude bomb explosion during vote counting in Kaliganj, Nadia district, has tragically claimed the life of a 9‑year‑old girl.
The incident occurred on 23 June 2025, just as results for the Kaliganj Assembly by‑poll were being tallied. Officials confirmed the blast happened near the counting centre, killing the child instantly. The Election Commission has requested immediate police action. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed authorities to investigate the incident and ensure justice .
Kaliganj’s by‑poll was held on 19 June to fill the seat vacated by the death of sitting Trinamool MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed, with votes being counted on 23 June. The constituency witnessed a triangular contest between TMC, BJP and a Congress‑Left alliance . Security forces had been deployed in significant numbers, but the explosion has raised concerns over the safety of election personnel and civilians.
Police are examining the device and its origin. Criminal proceedings have been initiated. The Election Commission has promised heightened security measures for future counts.
Army Jawan and Civilian Arrested in Punjab Over Alleged ISI Espionage
Punjab Police have detained a serving Army sepoy and a civilian in Amritsar on suspicion of spying for Pakistan’s Inter‑Services Intelligence (ISI). The individuals, identified as Gurpreet Singh and Sahil Masih, are alleged to have transmitted sensitive military information, including details of troop movements, installations and cantonment areas, via pen drives and mobile phones to an ISI handler named Rana Javed.
Police sources say that communication was carried out through encrypted apps and mobile devices, with payments made for each piece of information provided . The Punjab DGP confirmed that phones used for ISI contact were seized during the operation.
A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act and related sections of the Information Technology Act. Authorities are conducting forensic analysis of all seized devices and exploring wider espionage networks. Further arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.
US Utilises B‑2 Bombers and Bunker‑Busters in Strikes on Iran
The United States has deployed B‑2 Spirit stealth bombers, armed with Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), to strike key Iranian nuclear facilities. The operation targeted deeply buried sites such as Fordow and Natanz using precision‑guided bunker‑buster bombs. The MOP, weighing approximately 27,000–30,000 pounds, is capable of penetrating over 60 metres of reinforced concrete and can only be loaded onto the B‑2 bomber, the only aircraft with sufficient stealth and payload capacity.
The B‑2, valued at around $2.1 billion each, can carry up to two of these massive conventional bombs. The operation reportedly involved seven B‑2s dropping 14 GBU‑57 bombs across multiple targets. These strikes follow preliminary Israeli air attacks and cyber operations intended to disable Iranian air defences, allowing stealth bombers unhindered access .
This marks the first confirmed combat use of the GBU‑57 against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The strategic raids underscore the US’s ability to neutralise fortified underground facilities, a capability previously reserved for contingency neutralisation of global threats.
Oppo K13x 5G Launches in India From ₹11,999
Oppo’s latest budget‑friendly smartphone, the K13x 5G, has entered the Indian market starting at ₹11,999.
The handset features a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with either 4 GB or 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. It delivers durability with a military‑grade aluminium frame, IP65 resistance, Crystal Shield glass protection, and an aerospace‑grade armour build for added robustness. Users will enjoy a large 6.72‑inch Full HD+ LCD display with 120 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness reaching 1000 nits, capable of glove and splash touch inputs.
Photography is handled by a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50 MP main lens and 2 MP depth sensor, while an 8 MP front camera covers selfies. The 6,000 mAh battery supports fast 45 W SuperVOOC charging, promising a full charge in about 91 minutes. The phone launches with Android 15‑based ColorOS 15 and includes AI‑driven features like AI Eraser, AI Recorder, AI Studio and Google Gemini.
Available in Midnight Violet and Sunset Peach, the Oppo K13x 5G will be sold through Flipkart, Oppo’s online store, and offline retailers.
