Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:-

Israel and Iran trade fresh strikes a day after US hits Iranian nuclear facilities; United States places its forces across West Asia region on high alert.

India Slams Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for ignoring threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan; Says, it reflects disregard for global consensus on fight against terrorism.

Election Commission declares results for bypolls to five assembly constituencies across four states; AAP bags two seats, while BJP, Congress, and TMC win one each.

IMD says, conditions favourable for further advancement of monsoon over several parts of Northwest India during next two days; Normal life affected by heavy downpours in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

In Anderson-Tendulkar Cricket Trophy, India tighten grip as batsmen build up lead against Hosts England on Day 4 of first Test in Leeds.

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Israel and Iran traded fresh devastating strikes overnight a day after US hit three Iranian nuclear facilities. Explosions rocked Iran’s capital Tehran as Israel announced coordinated attacks on government and military installations across the country. Israeli Defense Forces targeted the entrance of Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. The high-security facility houses political prisoners, dual nationals and critics of the Iranian government, marking an expansion of Israeli operations beyond purely military targets. Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory, with blasts reported in multiple cities. Meanwhile, the United States has placed its forces across West Asia region on high alert. The US Embassy in Qatar also issued an urgent advisory directing American citizens to remain indoors until further notice, citing the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and US bombing operations against Iranian nuclear facilities. Our West Asia Correspondent has filed this report:

“The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi convened an emergency meeting of the organization’s Board of Governors in Vienna, demanding the return of agency inspectors to Iran’s nuclear sites to account for highly enriched uranium stockpiles. Grossi warned that the escalating military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States poses a grave threat to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Grossi’s comments comes as the Iranian Parliament Speaker announced that Iran’s legislature is considering legislation to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency unless Tehran receives tangible guarantees regarding the UN nuclear watchdog’s professional conduct. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, expressing strong support for Iran amid escalating regional tensions. Putin condemned what he described as an “unprovoked act of aggression” against Iran and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to its strategic relationship with Tehran. This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, Dubai”

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India has categorically rejected references to the country at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and termed them as unwarranted and factually incorrect. The External Affairs Ministry said that these statements, driven by Pakistan which has turned terrorism into statecraft, reflect the continued misuse of the OIC platform for narrow political ends. It said the OIC’s repeated failure to acknowledge the real and documented threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan reflects a disregard for facts and the global consensus on the fight against terrorism. New Delhi further stated that the OIC has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs, including Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and sovereign part of India. It said OIC should reflect on the perils of allowing Pakistan’s propaganda to hijack and politicize its agenda. It added that any other course can only undermine the OIC’s credibility and relevance. India said the comments made by Pakistan at the OIC meeting are an attempt to deflect international attention from its own record of state-sponsored terrorism, minority persecution, sectarian violence, and failure of governance.

India also outrightly rejected Pakistan’s allegation of unprovoked and unjustified military aggression and termed it as baseless. It added that Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack was a precise and legitimate act of self-defence against terrorist camps operating from Pakistani territory.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released a book titled Wings to Our Hopes – Volume 2 in New Delhi this evening. This book contains the speeches delivered by President Droupadi Murmu between the period of August 2023 to July 2024.

Speaking on this occasion, Defence Minister said, India took the historic action under the Operation Sindoor which injected fear in minds of terrorists.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan also attended the function.

On this occasion, the Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the book will make the upcoming generations aware about the welfare thoughts of the President Droupadi Murmu.

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The Election Commission has declared the results of the by-elections held in five assembly constituencies across four states, following the completion of counting of votes. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bagged two seats, while BJP, Congress, and TMC won a seat each.

In Gujarat, BJP’s Rajendra Kumar Daneshwar Chavda won the assembly bypoll in Kadi constituency. AAP’s Gopal Italia registered victory in Visavadar constituency. Another AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora bagged the Ludhiana West assembly seat in Punjab. In Kerala, Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath registered a resounding victory in Nilambur Assembly constituency. In West Bengal, Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed won from the Kaliganj Assembly seat.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired the 47th Annual General Meeting of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Dharmendra Pradhan among others. Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2022. It recognizes the contribution of all the Prime Ministers and shows how our democracy has provided an opportunity for leaders from every class and tier of society to contribute to nation building.

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The government has decided to extend the cut-off date for exercising the option for Unified Pension Scheme by three months till 30th September of this year. This cut-off date will apply for the eligible central government employees, retirees, and the legally wedded spouses of deceased retirees.

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India has witnessed a profound transformation over the past decade, shaped by the guiding principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan. Akashvani News brings a special feature highlighting the Government’s initiatives across vital sectors over the past 11 years. In today’s edition, we spotlight India’s steadfast pursuit of inclusive growth-a journey marked by empowerment, opportunity, and meaningful reform for the nation’s minority communities.

“Over the past decade, the Government has made significant strides in uplifting minority communities through targeted initiatives in education, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram alone approved projects worth over 18 thousand 400 crore rupees. Meanwhile, the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation disbursed over 752 crore rupees to more than 1.74 lakh beneficiaries, offering concessional loans to the backward sections. Cultural and community-specific initiatives have also made a meaningful impact. The Haj Suvidha App and dedicated training programs for Haj volunteers have enhanced the pilgrimage experience. While the landmark Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, along with the launch of the UMEED Portal, strengthened transparency and governance, ushering in a new era of digital management for Waqf properties. Additionally, schemes like the Buddhist Development Plan, Jiyo Parsi, and others have addressed the unique needs of different communities, by preserving culture, promoting education, and enhancing community welfare. Inclusion is not just a policy, it’s a promise. Through dedicated schemes, scholarship support, digital reforms, and heritage preservation, the government continues to foster meaningful empowerment and lasting inclusion. VISHNU PS, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri along with his eight-member Indian delegation today paid homage to the victims of the Kanishka bombing at the Ahakista Memorial at Cork, in Ireland on the 40th anniversary of the attack. On this day in 1985, Air India Flight 182 exploded mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 on board as a result of a cowardly act of terror carried out by Canada-based Khalistani terrorists. Addressing the gathering, Mr Puri called on the international community to unite against terrorism.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in a social media post described this attack as a stark reminder of why the world must show zero tolerance toward terrorism and violent extremism.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, the conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon over several parts of Northwest India during next two days. These include the remaining parts of North Arabian Sea, some more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, some parts of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, the remaining parts of West Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and the remaining parts of Jammu. It has forecast, increase in rainfall activity over the region from 25th June onwards.

Meanwhile, Normal life has been affected due to heavy downpours in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

In Gujarat, heavy rains lashed several parts of Surat today, leading to flood-like situations in low-lying areas of the city. More from our correspondent:

“Severe waterlogging has disrupted road traffic and affected normal life in the city. Waterlogged streets and submerged vehicles were reported in several areas. The Fire Department evacuated over 100 people, including children, from schools and residential areas. Amid the flood-like situation, schools and colleges have been closed Mid session. With water levels rising above 6 feet, the causeway on the Tapi River has been closed to motorists. Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted widespread rain across the state today and has fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea for the next five days. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.”

In Madhya Pradesh, over 25 districts received heavy rainfall during the last 24 hours. Heavy rain has caused water logging in many places in Shivpuri district. The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over West Madhya Pradesh till tomorrow.

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Crude oil prices rose around one per cent in intra-day trade today after Iran threatened to shut Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of global crude supply flows, following US strikes on its nuclear facilities. The benchmark domestic equity indices ended over half per cent down, amid weak global cues following escalating geopolitical tensions. The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, shed 511 points, to close at 81,897.

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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight, we will bring an insightful discussion on Blood Donation: A Small Act with a Big Impact with DDG in Directorate General of Health Services Dr. Megha Pravin Khobragade and Additional Professor, Transfusion Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr. Gopal Patidar. Listeners can ask our experts questions on the telephone numbers 011-23421050 and 011-23314444, 9:30 PM onwards.

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In Anderson-Tendulkar Cricket Trophy, India tightened grip on the first Test as batsmen build up lead against Hosts England on Day 4 in Leeds. The Visitors were 327 for 4 in their second innings a short while ago. India now have a commanding lead of 333 runs, owing to impressive centuries by KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Israel and Iran trade fresh strikes a day after US hits Iranian nuclear facilities; United States places its forces across West Asia region on high alert.

India Slams Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for ignoring threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan; Says, it reflects disregard for global consensus on fight against terrorism.

Election Commission declares results for bypolls to five assembly constituencies across four states; AAP bags two seats, while BJP, Congress, and TMC win one each.

IMD says, conditions favourable for further advancement of monsoon over several parts of Northwest India during next two days; Normal life affected by heavy downpours in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.