China urges its citizens in Israel to exit via land borders
The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv has advised its nationals to leave Israel immediately via land crossings, amid rising regional tensions.
Beijing’s diplomatic mission warned that the security situation has significantly worsened, citing damage to civilian infrastructure and increasing casualties following escalations between Israel and Iran. With Israeli airspace reportedly closed, the embassy urged Chinese citizens to travel via the border with Jordan, facilitating a safer route home. This alert was communicated through WeChat to ensure swift outreach.
Mortal remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal arrive in Mumbai
The body of Air India pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who tragically lost his life in the Ahmedabad crash, was brought to Mumbai home earlier today.
The remains were received in Powai and taken to his residence, where they will lie in state for around an hour. This allows neighbours, colleagues and well‑wishers to pay their respects.
Captain Sabharwal, a veteran aviator with over 8,200 flight hours, had lived with his elderly father in the same home. His death has cast a pall over the tight‑knit community, prompting heartfelt reactions and the commencement of funeral rites in the city
PM Modi signals support for Cypriot sovereignty, sidelines Turkiye
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Cyprus’s top civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, signalling India’s strengthening ties with Nicosia and a subtle diplomatic rebuke to Turkiye.
During his visit, Modi became the first Indian prime minister in 23 years to visit Cyprus. The honour was conferred by President Nikos Christodoulides in recognition of Modi’s global leadership and efforts to deepen bilateral relations.
India’s emphasis on Cyprus’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in light of Turkiye’s control of northern Cyprus since 1974, came across as a pointed diplomatic message. Modi’s presence in Nicosia underlines India’s growing diplomatic outreach in the Eastern Mediterranean and its support for peace and regional stability.
Mumbai records one more Covid‑linked death amid declining cases
Mumbai reported a 44‑year‑old woman’s death from Covid‑19 on Monday. She suffered from chronic liver cirrhosis.
According to municipal health officials, this brings the city’s total Covid-related deaths since May to six. Meanwhile, daily case numbers are showing a downward trend. Tests conducted over the weekend suggest a drop in new infections, signalling possible improvement in the local pandemic situation .
Public health authorities continue to monitor hospital admissions and positivity rates. The recent decline in cases provides a cautious sense of relief as Maharashtra remains among the states still reporting active infections.
DRDO and IIT‑Delhi demonstrate free‑space quantum communication over 1 km
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT‑Delhi have successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based secure communication across a free‑space optical link exceeding one kilometre.
The test, conducted on IIT‑Delhi’s campus by the DRDO–Industry–Academia Centre of Excellence, achieved a secure quantum key distribution (QKD) rate of nearly 240 bits per second and maintained a quantum bit error rate below 7 percent. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the experiment, describing it as the onset of a new “quantum era” for secure communication.
The technology uses quantum entanglement, meaning any interception attempt disrupts the photon state, instantly signalling tampering. This setup avoids the need for optical fibre, which is costly and complex, especially in urban or remote areas. The development marks a significant milestone towards India’s ambition of building quantum networks and a quantum‑secure “future internet”.
IMD issues red alert in five Kerala districts; Delhi set for rain and thunderstorms
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts in Kerala, while Delhi and Noida prepare for rainfall and stormy skies.
In Kerala, extreme rainfall warnings are in place for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod until 18 June. Squally coastal conditions have prompted authorities to ban fishing. Nine other districts face orange alerts, and several more are under yellow, as monsoon activity intensifies .
Meanwhile, the IMD forecasts rain and thunderstorms across Delhi, Noida and the wider NCR region on 17 June. A week-long weather shift could mark an early onset of monsoon. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected, with temperatures easing from recent highs .
CBFC clears Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par without cuts, sets June 20 release
Aamir Khan’s much-anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par has been granted a clean certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and is scheduled for nationwide release on 20 June 2025.
The CBFC previously suggested making two cuts, but those were ultimately not required. The board has passed the film without any modifications, allowing it to hit cinemas on its intended date. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by R S Prasanna, the film is a Hindi remake of the Spanish movie Champions, and follows a coach mentoring a basketball team of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Aamir Khan stars alongside Genelia D’Souza in this inclusive sports drama. The film carries a runtime of two hours and 35 minutes and has received a 12A rating in the UK.
