India Relocates Citizens to Safer Zones as Iran-Israel Conflict Intensifies
India has begun relocating its citizens from high-risk areas in Iran and Israel as tensions between the two nations escalate. The move follows daily aerial strikes in the region, prompting urgent safety measures.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory on 17 June 2025, urging Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to leave the capital and relocate to safer areas within Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi confirmed that approximately 10,000 Indian citizens, including 6,000 students, are in Iran. Around 600 students have been moved from Tehran to Qom, 148 km away, while others from Shiraz and Isfahan have been shifted to Yazd. In Israel, where an estimated 25,000 Indian citizens reside, the embassy in Tel Aviv is guiding people towards land borders with Jordan and Egypt due to closed airspace. A 24/7 control room in New Delhi and emergency helplines in Tehran support the effort.
Air India Flight Diverted to Kolkata After Engine Issue
An Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai was safely diverted to Kolkata after a technical fault. All passengers were deboarded without incident on 17 June 2025.
The Boeing 777, carrying 297 passengers and 16 crew members, departed San Francisco on 16 June and was en route to Mumbai when the crew detected an engine malfunction. The pilots followed protocol, diverting the aircraft to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, where it landed safely at 3:45 AM IST. Air India’s engineering team is inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the issue. Passengers were provided accommodation in Kolkata and are being rebooked on alternative flights to Mumbai. The airline issued a statement confirming the safe landing and apologised for the inconvenience. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been notified and will review the incident. This follows recent concerns about aviation safety after similar technical issues on Indian carriers.
PM Modi Arrives in Canada for G7 Summit in Kananaskis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Kananaskis, Canada, to attend the G7 Summit on 16 June 2025. The visit, his first to Canada in a decade, focuses on global challenges like energy security and technology.
Marking his sixth consecutive G7 Summit, Modi will engage with leaders from G7 nations, invited outreach countries, and heads of international organisations. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that discussions will centre on critical issues, including the AI-energy nexus, quantum technology, and innovation. Modi is also scheduled for bilateral meetings on the sidelines, following India’s recent Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The summit unfolds amid heightened Middle East tensions, with the G7 urging Iran to de-escalate after strikes with Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump’s early departure on 16 June, citing the Iran-Israel conflict, has drawn attention. The G7 expressed support for Israel, calling Iran a source of regional instability.
WhatsApp Begins Displaying Ads in Updates Tab, Prioritising Privacy
Meta Platforms has introduced advertisements on WhatsApp, marking a significant shift for the messaging app. The ads, announced on 16 June 2025, are rolling out gradually in the app’s Updates tab.
The ads appear within the Status feature, similar to Instagram Stories, and in the Channels section, used by 1.5 billion people daily. Meta, which acquired WhatsApp for $19.3 billion in 2014, first revealed plans for ads in 2018 but delayed implementation until now. The company stated that ads are designed with privacy in mind, using limited data such as a user’s country, city, language, and interactions with ads or Channels. Personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted, ensuring they cannot be accessed for advertising purposes. Users who link WhatsApp to Meta’s Accounts Center may see ads tailored based on their Facebook and Instagram activity, though this setting is optional. Businesses can also promote Channels and offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content.
POCO F7 Set to Launch in India on 24 June with Massive Battery
POCO has confirmed the launch of its new flagship, the POCO F7, in India on 24 June 2025. The gaming-focused smartphone promises impressive specifications, with key details already revealed.
The POCO F7 will feature a 7,550 mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering up to 2.18 days of moderate usage on a single charge, according to a Flipkart promotional page. It supports 90 W fast charging, capable of rapidly refuelling the device, and 22.5 W reverse wired charging to power accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. The battery is rated for 1,600 cycles, retaining 80% capacity. Leaks suggest the phone will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset with 12 GB of RAM. It is expected to sport a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 50-megapixel main camera, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The dual-tone design includes a vertical camera module and RGB lighting around the cameras. The launch event is scheduled for 5:30 PM IST.
SC slams unofficial ban on Thug Life, says ‘mobs can’t dictate’
The Supreme Court has sharply criticised Karnataka’s unofficial ban on the Tamil film Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, emphasising the primacy of rule of law.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan expressed concern over “extra‑judicial ban” imposed by threats and public pressure. It stated: “We can’t allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets.” The court clarified that while no one is compelled to watch the film, its screening must not be obstructed.
The Supreme Court gave the Karnataka government one day to update it on the film’s release status in the state. The PIL filed by Mahesh Reddy highlights threats by fringe groups, including ultimatums to burn theatres onstage, and asks the state to ensure safe screening of a CBFC‑certified movie.
SpaceX launches 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites from Vandenberg
SpaceX successfully launched 26 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit on Monday, 16 June, from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 8:36 p.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC‑4E) carrying the Starlink 15‑9 mission payload. Just over eight minutes later, the satellites reached orbit, with final deployment following a second-stage burn approximately one hour into the flight.
The booster, serial number B1093, successfully touched down aboard the autonomous droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific—marking its third flight and landing on that vessel. This launch also signifies the 200th orbital launch from SLC‑4E.
The new satellites expand Starlink’s broadband constellation, which now exceeds 7,760 operational units, furthering SpaceX’s mission to deliver global internet coverage.
