Times of India

In a pivotal step towards strengthening its defense, Denmark is poised to purchase 200 state-of-the-art JASSM-ER missiles from the United States, with a budget of around $842 million. This acquisition is a significant upgrade for the Royal Danish Air Force, complementing their new fleet of F-35 fighters.

NEET (UG)-2026 will feature a longer exam window, now 195 minutes, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. Candidates will receive four rough-work pages, with two placed at the booklet's beginning for easier access, addressing feedback on convenience and accessibility. These changes aim for a fairer, more comfortable exam experience.

Congress Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan defended her nomination papers, stating a legal notice is not a pending criminal case. She asserted that all relevant details were provided to the Election Commission. The Supreme Court is hearing her plea regarding the disclosure requirements in Form 26.

Indian shooting mourns the loss of Jaspal Rana, a celebrated Asian Games gold medallist and multiple international winner, who passed away at 49. Rana, a prolific shooter and influential coach, shaped generations of talent, notably guiding Manu Bhaker to a historic two-medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His legacy as a mentor and athlete is profound.

Pakistan's Navy welcomed its first Hangor-class submarine, a Chinese-derived vessel featuring advanced Air Independent Propulsion. This marks the start of an eight-submarine induction by 2028, significantly boosting Pakistan's underwater fleet. Meanwhile, India's submarine modernization faces delays, with plans for new vessels and AIP integration progressing slowly, though it still maintains a numerical advantage.

Jaishankar criticized Western nations' double standards on sanctions, particularly regarding India's purchase of Russian oil. He highlighted that the US itself encouraged India to buy Russian crude to stabilize global markets, emphasizing India's decisions are driven by affordability and availability, not geopolitics. Jaishankar pointed out the inconsistent application of sanctions, urging a pragmatic approach.

India mourns the loss of legendary shooter and coach Jaspal Rana, who passed away at 49. President Murmu, Abhinav Bindra, and PM Modi led tributes, hailing his immense contributions as an athlete and mentor. Rana, a decorated champion, was instrumental in nurturing a generation of Indian shooting stars, leaving an indelible legacy.

A Lucknow-Delhi IndiGo flight experienced a delay on Friday due to a hoax bomb threat. The aircraft, carrying approximately 180 passengers, was held at the apron after a tissue paper with the word "bomb" was found in a lavatory. Security personnel conducted thorough checks, confirming the threat was not credible.

Cricket Ireland is closely monitoring the unrest in Belfast ahead of India's T20I series, scheduled for June 26 and 28. While domestic matches are being reviewed, the board assures that player and fan safety is paramount. The series marks a new chapter for India's T20 side, potentially featuring a historic debut for young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is protesting nationwide, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over exam irregularities. They unveiled a five-point manifesto seeking compensation for affected students, swift backup exams, physical answer sheet evaluation, automatic age relaxation, and tech audits. The CJP plans a Delhi protest on June 20 if demands aren't met.

"Kakoli Dastidar was caught on camera accepting Rs 5 lakh. Where was her integrity then? Yet today, she questions Mamata Banerjee about bribes. When talking about bribes, she should also reveal how many of the initial eight were bribed... I know all these details. One day, I will expose them. I intend to catch them red-handed the very moment they hand over that Rs 10 lakh. It's not impossible, because the information will come from within their own camp," he said.

Belagavi police have cracked the suspicious death of ex-serviceman Sandeep Manjaragi, who died in hospital after a minor bike accident. His wife, Suma, and her lover, Pundalik Dombar, allegedly conspired to murder him, fearing his recovery would expose their affair and jeopardize his Rs 2 crore insurance payout. Hospital staff are also suspected of involvement.

SpaceX is poised for a historic Wall Street debut, aiming to raise $75 billion and achieve a valuation of nearly $1.8 trillion. The company, now encompassing rocket launches, satellite internet, and AI, has seen significant revenue growth but reported a net loss. Institutional investors are showing strong demand for the offering.

Renowned Indian shooter and coach Jaspal Rana passed away at 49 after falling ill following the ISSF World Cup in Munich. A former Asian Games gold medallist, Rana was instrumental in nurturing generations of shooting stars, including Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker. His impactful coaching career, recognised with the Dronacharya Award, leaves an irreplaceable void in Indian sport.

Brazil and Portugal enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup from very different positions, yet a single comment from Ronaldinho has linked the two football powers. The Brazilian legend made it clear that Brazil remains his first choice, but if the Seleção fall short, he would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal finally lift football's biggest prize.