Midday News -

THE HEADLINES:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets lone survivor and those injured in Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad; Also visits crash site and holds review meeting with top officials.
Identified bodies of plane crash being handed over to relatives after post-mortem.
Israel conducts unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders; New Delhi urges both sides to avoid escalatory steps.
Indian embassies issue advisories to its nationals in both countries to stay vigilant: Sixteen international flights of Air India affected amid growing conflict.
And, IMD issues red alert as heatwave continues to grip North-West India with mercury crossing 45 degrees at several places; Weather agency also forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra over next three days.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital in Gujarat this morning and met those injured in the Air India plane crash which claimed the lives of 241 people. Later, in a social media post, the Prime Minister said, the country is devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. He said, the loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. The Prime Minister also met the lone survivor of the crash Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is a British national of Indian origin, and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Later Mr Ramesh shared the devastating experience with Prasar Bharti Correspondent:

Mr Modi also visited the plane crash site and said the scene of devastation is saddening. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, his thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. Later, Mr Modi held a review meeting in Ahemdabad. He also met the family members of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the tragedy. Our correspondent reports that identified bodies from the plane crash are being handed over to relatives after post-mortem. So far, six bodies have been handed over to the family members. Meanwhile, Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rakesh Joshi said that 32 people are currently undergoing treatment in the hospital. Except for a few doctors who have suffered severe burns, everyone is stable.

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When fate takes a sharp, tragic turn, even the smallest twist of chance can mean the difference between life and death. This was witnessed in yesterday’s tragic mishap. We have a report:

“Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Bharuch in Gujarat, became one of the few spared by such a twist. She missed Air India Flight which crashed yesterday. Bhoomi’s story, and those of a handful of others who were meant to be on that doomed flight, are haunting reminders of how close they came to sharing the same fate-and how thin the line between tragedy and survival can be. Ms Bhoomi shared that, she arrived at the check-in gate ten minutes late due to traffic in Ahmedabad and was not allowed to board the plane.

However, others were not so lucky. For many, it was meant to be the start of something joyful. A doctor couple, full of hope, were beginning a new chapter as a family in the UK – their dreams would end in tragedy on this very flight. A 35-year-old woman was returning to the UK after leaving her daughter with her parents in Vadodara – she would never make it home. Two sisters, excited for their vacation in London, boarded with smiles that would never see another day. They all boarded the flight unaware that this takeoff had no landing. SWATI RAKHEJA, AKASHVANI NEWS.”

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that he is in touch with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Foreign Minister of Portugal Paulo Rangel and Foreign Minister of Canada Anita Anand regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash. Dr Jaishankar expressed profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief. Fifty-Three British Nationals, Seven Portugese National and One Canadian National had also lost their lives in the plane crash in Ahmedabad yesterday.

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Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iran last night, targeting its nuclear program and senior military leaders in an attack that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said will last many days. The attack plunges West Asia into fresh uncertainty, increasing the risk of a regional war as Israel braces for Iran’s retaliation. General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), was among those killed in the attacks. Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri and the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoon Abbasi were also killed in the strikes. Prime Minister of Israel Netanyahu said, Operation Rising Lion struck Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz, nuclear scientists, and what he called the heart of Iran’s ballistic missiles program.

Israel’s military said it used 200 fighter jets. It said, Iran in retaliation has launched over 100 drones toward Israeli territory.

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India has expressed concern at recent developments between Iran and Israel and urged both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. It has asked Iran and Israel to utilize existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. The missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community and all Indian nationals in the region have been advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories.

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In view of evolving airspace conditions after Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iran last night, Air India has diverted and returned its sixteen international flights to their origins. In a social media post, Air India informed that alternative arrangements including accomodation are being arranged to fly passengers to their destinations.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for heat waves in Delhi and a red alert for severe heat waves in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, IMD senior scientist Dr. R. K. Jenamani has said that the orange warning in Delhi will remain till tomorrow. He added that Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall during the next 3-4 days.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets lone survivor and those injured in Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad; Also visits crash site and holds review meeting with top officials.
Identified bodies of plane crash being handed over to relatives after post-mortem.
Israel conducts unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders; New Delhi urges both sides to avoid escalatory steps.
Indian embassies issue advisories to its nationals in both countries to stay vigilant: Sixteen international flights of Air India affected amid growing conflict.
And, IMD issues red alert as heatwave continues to grip North-West India with mercury crossing 45 degrees at several places; Weather agency also forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra over next three days.