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June 2, 2026 2:00 PM

Midday News

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THE HEADLINES:

 

  1. President Droupadi Murmu addresses tribal beneficiaries of scholarship schemes at Rashtrapati Bhawan; Emphasises social, economic and educational progress of all sections of society for true development.
  2. Government notifies Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026 with key changes in registration timelines and the appeals mechanism.
  3. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant administers oath of office to five new judges of Supreme Court.
  4. Orange alert issued for thundersquall conditions in Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh today.
  5. And in Women’s Cricket, third and final T20 International between India and hosts England to be played in Taunton tonight.

 

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President Droupadi Murmu has said that education is a powerful means of empowerment as it enables individuals to become self-reliant, aware and capable. Addressing the tribal beneficiaries of scholarship scheme in New Delhi today, the President said that true development can only be achieved when all sections of society progress socially, economically, and educationally.

 

The President highlighted that the government scholarship schemes have transformed the lives of tribals by enabling access to higher education and new opportunities. President Murmu emphasized that India has no shortage of talent and stressed on the need to identify, nurture, and provide the right platform for it to flourish.

 

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The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing key changes in registration timelines and the appeals mechanism under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025. The amendment allows registration to be completed at any time before the expiry of 180 days from arrival in India. Previously, registration had to be completed within 14 days after the end of the 180-day period. However, late registration beyond this period will now be permitted only under emergent circumstances.

 

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The Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant administered the oath of office to five new judges of the Supreme Court today. Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva and Arun Palli and senior advocate V. Mohana took oath as judges of the apex court. The Centre had cleared their appointments yesterday on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.

The appointments were made weeks after President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of judges in the apex court from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.

 

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President of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Mumbai today as part of his four-day visit to India. He was welcomed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.

 

President U Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to attend business and industry interactions and visit various sites in Mumbai today. He will also attend a special programme organised in his honour at Lok Bhavan this evening. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is scheduled to be present on the occasion.

 

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India has dispatched the second tranche of medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to support public health preparedness and strengthen Ebola response efforts across Africa. In a social media post, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed confidence that the 43-tonne shipment will further enhance public health preparedness and bolster Ebola response capacities across the African Union member states.

 

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The Union Health Ministry has said that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been reported in the country so far. The Ministry has advised that anyone, who has travelled from or transited through an Ebola-affected country in the last 21 days and develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding, isolate themselves and inform local health authorities. The Ministry has also urged citizens to call the helpline number 1075 for information, guidance, and assistance. It emphasized that early reporting is crucial for saving lives and preventing the spread of the disease.

 

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The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh has arrested a young man named Mohammad Sheikh from Azamgarh allegedly linked with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The ATS received the information that Pakistan’s ISI and terrorist organizations were collaborating with Bhatti with the aim of spreading terror and threatening India’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. More from our correspondent:

 

“As part of this conspiracy, the terrorist gang was instigating persons to conduct unlawful acts.  This intelligence was developed through electronic and physical surveillance, and investigative efforts. During the inquiry, Mohammad Sheikh resident of Azamgarh district came to light. He had connected with Shehzad Bhatti’s terrorist gang via WhatsApp using Pakistani and Dubai phone numbers, and through their social media accounts. Handlers of Shehzad Bhatti’s gang had assigned Mohammad Sheikh to threaten and assassinate a female leader of a political party from another state. Mohammad Sheikh had arranged a 9 mm pistol and was preparing to execute the plan to murder. Sushil Chandra Tiwari, Akashvani News, Lucknow.”

 

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting massive search operations at 20 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot against a trans-national organised narcotics trafficking syndicate operated by Salim Ismail Dola and his associates. According to the Enforcement Directorate, investigations have uncovered a highly organised trans-national criminal network. The network was involved in procuring precursor chemicals and clandestinely manufacturing Mephedrone, also known as MD. It allegedly transported and distributed narcotic drugs across states and trafficked narcotic substances internationally. The probe has also revealed the use of hawala channels to collect and layer proceeds of crime.

 

The Government extradited Salim Dola last Month from Turkey. He is a close aide of Dawood and operated a trans national network of drugs.

 

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has busted a gold smuggling syndicate at Mumbai International Airport and seized 2.6 kilograms of foreign-origin gold, valued at around four crore and twenty lakh rupees. Based on specific intelligence, DRI officials yesterday apprehended two passengers while they were attempting to smuggle gold into India from Dubai. During examination, officials recovered two pouches containing gold dust in wax form.

 

The agency said the investigation led to a Navi Mumbai-based jeweller, who is suspected to have conspired with accomplices to smuggle the gold into the country.

 

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Congress leader Shanimol Usman has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in Keralam. Shanimol Usman got 99 votes and opposition candidate Mohammad Mohsin got 34 votes. All the three BJP members abstained from voting.

 

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The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have extended greetings to the people of Telangana on its Statehood Day. President Droupadi Murmu said, Telangana is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and hardworking people. She said that the State has made significant strides in innovation and development over the years. Vice President CP Radakrishnan said, blessed with rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, Telangana has contributed significantly to the nation’s progress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the Central Government’s commitment to providing full cooperation to the development movement of Telangana in the direction of realizing the dream of a Developed India. He prayed for good health, happiness, and success for the people of Telangana.

 

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today extended greetings to Italy on the occasion of its National Day. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar expressed confidence that the special strategic partnership between the two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength.                                        

 

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In West Asia, attention remains focused on Lebanon after a fragile U.S.-brokered arrangement between Israel and Hezbollah raised hopes of easing tensions in the region, though fresh violations have cast doubt over its durability. Lebanese officials say Hezbollah has accepted a U.S. proposal under which the group would halt attacks on Israel, while Israel would suspend strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. However, the understanding falls short of a comprehensive ceasefire, and clashes have continued in parts of southern Lebanon.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has described the development as an agreement to “stop all shooting” following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and contacts with Hezbollah through mediators. However, Israeli officials have taken a more cautious position, saying military operations could resume if Hezbollah attacks persist. Soon after the announcement, the Israeli military reported intercepting projectiles fired from Lebanese territory, highlighting the fragility of the arrangement.  More from our Dubai correspondent :

 

“The fragile Lebanon de-escalation is unfolding against a far more dangerous diplomatic backdrop. Iran has formally suspended all dialogue and exchange of messages through mediators with the United States, citing of Israeli operations in Lebanon  which Tehran had flagged as a precondition of any ceasefire agreement. Iranian sources linked to the resistance front have placed on their agenda the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the activation of additional fronts, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea, with the stated aim of punishing Israel and its supporters. The fighting in Lebanon  presents a major obstacle in the emerging deal between Washington and Tehran, as Iran is insisting that any agreement must include a ceasefire in Lebanon. Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”

 

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A delegation of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party led by party president Rabi Lamichhane met BJP president Nitin Nabin in New Delhi today. The delegation is also scheduled to meet other senior leaders of the party. The visit seeks to initiate party-to-party engagement between RSP and BJP and provide an opportunity for exchange of views on organisational practices, democratic processes and people-centric political outreach.

 

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thundersquall conditions over Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh during the day. While heavy rainfall will occur over Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal till tomorrow.

 

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Uttar Pradesh for next two to three days.

 

Hot and humid weather conditions will prevail over entire north east including Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal today.

 

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In Women’s Cricket, the third and final T 20 International of the series between India and England will be played at Taunton in England tonight. The match will begin at 11 PM IST.

 

The series is level with India winning the first match in Chemlsford by 38 runs and England levelling the series with a 26-run victory in Bristol.

 

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In Hockey, India registered a commanding 4-1 victory over Korea in their third Pool A match of the Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan. Captain Ketan Kushwaha scored in the third and the 36th minute. Varinder Singh and Shahrukh Ali scored the other two goals. Korea’s lone goal came through captain Yun Jaehyeok.

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,

 

  1. President Droupadi Murmu addresses tribal beneficiaries of scholarship schemes at Rashtrapati Bhawan; Emphasises social, economic and educational progress of all sections of society for true development.
  2. Government notifies Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026 with key changes in registration timelines and the appeals mechanism.
  3. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant administers oath of office to five new judges of Supreme Court.
  4. Orange alert issued for thundersquall conditions in Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh today.
  5. And in Women’s Cricket, third and final T20 International between India and hosts England to be played in Taunton tonight.

 

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