1 Major Abhilasha Barak honoured with the UN Military Gender Advocate Award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on receiving the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and praised her “outstanding service.” Major Abhilasha was awarded the award for her contributions to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and promoting social harmony . Major Barak is the third Indian officer to receive this prestigious honor . Prior to her, Major Suman Gawani received the award in 2019 and Major Radhika Sen in 2023. Major Abhilasha was presented the award by Antonio Guterres at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Since June 2025, Major Abhilasha Barak has served as the Commander of the Female Engagement Team (FET) of an Indian battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Major Barak is India’s first female combat helicopter pilot and has been honored with the 2005 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She was given this honour for advancing the role and perspectives of women in peace missions.
2 Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiyono visits India
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono arrived in India on June 7th for a three-day visit . On the first day , Sugiono and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 8th meeting of the India-Indonesia Joint Commission in New Delhi . The meeting focused on the Strategic Partnership for Cooperation between India and Indonesia. Issues such as defense, maritime security, business, investment, and enhancing connectivity were also discussed. Agreements reached between India and Nepal during Nepal President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India (2025) were also discussed. Both countries are important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime cooperation, counter-terrorism cooperation, and ASEAN. ASEAN is a group of 11 countries . It includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the recently joined East Timor (Timor-Leste).
3 India-US military hold joint talks in Hawaii
The 29th edition of the India-US Army-to-Army Staff Talks (SST) was held in Hawaii (USA) on June 7. The Army Staff Talks were co-chaired by Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai , Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Lieutenant General Joel Vowell , Deputy Commanding General, US Army Pacific. The bilateral talks focused on enhancing defense cooperation and improving interoperability between the two armies. The talks reviewed military exchanges and the military capabilities of both countries. The talks covered issues such as joint military exercises, security interests, and capacity building. The talks highlighted the growing importance of India-US military relations in support of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. The two countries discussed India-US joint military and Indo-Pacific region security during the meeting.
4 Five new countries elected to the UN Security Council
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has elected five countries as non-permanent (non-permanent) members of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027. The elected members by region are: Austria and Portugal (Western European and Other States Group), Trinidad and Tobago (Latin American and Caribbean Group), Zimbabwe (African Group), and Kyrgyzstan (Asia-Pacific Group). This election marks a historic achievement for Kyrgyzstan , which will serve on the Security Council for the first time since joining the United Nations in 1992. The newly elected members will join Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia (who were elected in 2026 and will serve until 2027). The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), established in 1945 under the UN Charter, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is entrusted with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Members : The Council consists of 15 members , including five permanent members (P5) —China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who have veto power , and ten non-permanent members who are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for two-year terms .
5 India signs BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam
Recently, the Defense Secretary stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that India has signed a BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam , while a similar agreement with Indonesia is in the final stages , following a March 2026 agreement. The Philippines was the first foreign buyer , signing a contract worth approximately $375 million in 2022 , highlighting India’s exports of the missile system to Southeast Asia. India shares advanced defense technologies with countries it considers friendly partners , including ASEAN countries, with a strong emphasis on trust and strategic coordination. Several ASEAN member countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, have territorial maritime claims with China in the South China Sea, making BrahMos exports crucial to regional defense partnerships. The Shangri-La Dialogue is an important annual intergovernmental security forum held in Singapore. It brings together defense ministers, military officials, and strategic experts to discuss Indo-Pacific and global security issues. The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia , integrating Indian guidance and control systems with Russian propulsion technology for high performance and reliability. It is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
To promote women’s safety and economic independence , the Telangana Women’s Safety Department has launched a unique initiative called Stree Ride . It consists of a fleet of cabs, auto rickshaws, and electric bikes driven entirely by women . The fleet was officially flagged off by Director General of Police CV Anand. Under the initiative, women passengers can book rides driven exclusively by women on transportation services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
7 South Korea’s President nominates Han Seong-suk as the country’s next Prime Minister.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the current Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, to be the country’s next Prime Minister . Announcing the decision, President’s Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik praised her extensive experience in the technology sector. If approved by the National Assembly, Han will become the first female Prime Minister under his administration. Previously, Han Myong-sook served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007.
8 India beat Bangladesh 3-1 to win the 8th SAFF Women’s Championship title
India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 to win the title for a record sixth time. The match was played in Margao, Goa . After seven years, the ‘ Blue Tigresses ‘ have once again lifted the trophy. India completed the tournament without losing a single match. They scored 18 goals and conceded only one, clearly demonstrating their dominance in the tournament. India last won the title in 2019. Aweka Singh was the top scorer of the tournament with four goals . Sanphida Nongrum was named the ‘ Most Valuable Player ‘ while Panthoi Chanu Elangbam won the ‘ Best Goalkeeper ‘ award.
On June 6 , tennis player Mira Andreeva won her first French Open title. Mira defeated Poland’s Maya Chwalińska in the women’s singles final , 6-3, 6-2, in straight sets. The 19-year-old Andreeva became the second-youngest player to win the French Open . She was preceded in this title by 18-year-old Monica Seles in 1992. This is Russia’s Andreeva ‘s first Grand Slam title . With this victory, Andreeva became the first teenage player to win the French Open women’s singles title since Iga Swiatek in 2020. Andreeva is also the youngest female champion at the French Open since Monica Seles in 1992. Andreeva is the second Russian woman to win the French Open, after former world number one Maria Sharapova. At the age of 16, Andreeva made her mark in international tennis by reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon. Andreeva won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing in doubles with Diana Schnyder. Maya Chwalińska became the first qualifier in French Open history to reach the final.
10 Malayalam actor Salim Kumar passes away at the age of 57
National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar passed away in Kochi. Salim Kumar initially gained recognition through stage mimicry and television comedy shows before entering the film industry in 1996 with the film ” Ishtamnu Nooruvattum, ” directed by Siddique Shameer. In a career spanning three decades, he appeared in nearly 350 films . His unique portrayal of comedy-oriented characters brought a distinct dimension to the film. He received the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Rama Film Award in 2010 for his performance in ” Adaminte Makan Abu .” Salim Kumar received the State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Achanurangatha Veedu” and the State Film Award for Best Comedian for “Ayalum Njanum.” He also appeared in the Tamil films “Appavin Meesai,” “Nedunchalai,” and “Maryan.” He also acted in the Odia film ‘Uga’ and the Bengali film ‘Mayabazar’.