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June 14, 2025 2:51 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES:

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a five day tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia from tomorrow.

 

  • Government forms High Level multi-disciplinary committee to probe Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad as death toll rises to 254.

 

  • Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to begin on 20th of this month; First batch of pilgrims to reach Gangtok tomorrow.

 

  • Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; Pulls out of nuclear talks with the United States.

 

  • In Shooting, Suruchi Singh clinches India’s first gold medal in women’s 10 meter air pistol final of ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany.

 

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-day tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia tomorrow. At the invitation of President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, Prime Minister Modi will pay an official visit to Cyprus tomorrow.

 

In the second leg of his visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, Mr Modi will travel to Kananaskis in Canada on 16th June to participate in the G-7 Summit. In the final leg of his tour, Prime Minister Modi will undertake an official visit to Croatia on 18th June.

 

The Prime Minister’s three-nation visit will begin with Cyprus, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in over two decades. The visit holds significance as Cyprus has been a consistent supporter of India’s positions on Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and reforms in the United Nations Security Council. From Cyprus, the Prime Minister will travel to Canada to attend the G7 Summit. At the Summit, Mr. Modi will exchange views on key global issues and hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

 

The final leg of the Prime Minister’s visit will be to Croatia, marking the first high-level visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country. Croatia is being seen as a potential partner in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and the visit represents a major milestone in India-Croatia relations.

 

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The Government has formed a High Level Multi-Disciplinary Committee for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London on Thursday. In a social media post, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences. It will also suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future.

 

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Meanwhile, the investigation into the plane crash is underway, and multiple agencies have joined the investigation. At least 254 people, including 241 people on board died in the incident.

 

Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi held a review meeting with the Gujarat Forensic Science Experts team at FSL in Gandhinagar. The Minister reviewed the DNA testing process.

 

Talking to the Media, the Minister said 36 forensic experts in Gujarat are working round the clock to speed up the DNA matching. He said the Centre has also sent a team of forensic experts to aid the team.

 

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at multiple locations in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in connection with a terror conspiracy case related to the banned outfit Hizb-ut-Tahrir. In a statement, the NIA said that three locations in Bhopal and two in Jhalawar were extensively searched as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the activities of Hizb-ut-Tahrir and its members. During the searches, the NIA teams seized several digital devices.

 

The investigation in the case is currently underway.

 

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AYUSH Minster Pratap Rao Jadhav today said that Yoga represents India’s aspiration for global well-being. Speaking at the Global Yoga Summit – Yoga Connect in New Delhi, he said that Humanity is presently facing various challenges across the world and added that Yoga is a gift and legacy from India to the world for a global peace.

 

This summit aims to serve as a global platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of ideas around the evolving landscape of yoga and wellness.

 

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The results of Medical Entrance exam NEET Under Graduate 2025 have been declared by National Testing Agency today.The score cards are available on the official website of the exam – ntaneet.nic.in. Candidates can download their score card and check the merit list through the official website. 

 

Mahesh Kumar of Rajasthan has ranked first while Uttkarsh Awadhiya from Madhya Pradesh and Krishang Joshi from Maharashtra have been ranked second and third, respectively.

 

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The first batch of Pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will reach Gangtok tomorrow. Sikkim government has made all arrangements to welcome them. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is going to begin on 20th of this month after a gap of 5 years. Talking to Akashvani Correspondent, Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism and Civil Aviation department, C S Rao said the first batch of group consisting of 35 yatris along with government officials will reach tomorrow. On 20th of this month, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang will flag off the yatra at Nathu La. Mr. Rao said that the pilgrimage will get all medical and other requirements.

 

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Iran and Israel have exchanged heavy missile strikes in a dramatic escalation of their long-standing hostilities. The conflict intensified early Friday when Israel launched what officials called its largest air offensive to date, striking Iranian nuclear and military sites in a move deemed unprecedented. In retaliation, Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Tel Aviv, responding to what it described as a surprise aerial assault. More details from our West Asia Correspondent:

 

Air raid sirens wailed across major Israeli  cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as successive waves of Iranian ballistic missiles streaked across the night sky.

 

The Iranian retaliatory strikes killed three people and injured dozens in Israel, while Iran’s ambassador to the UN reported 78 people killed in the Israeli strikes on Iran, with more than 320 wounded. Among the Iranian targets hit was Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, where two missiles reportedly struck the vicinity of the facility, causing fires and heavy smoke.

 

Israel’s military said the Friday operation targeted Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure, with officials believing Iran was in a weakened position following previous strikes that degraded its air defenses. The Israeli strikes reportedly killed three of Iran’s most powerful military figures and targeted the heart of Iran’s nuclear, missile and military complex.

 

The escalation has raised concerns about potential wider regional conflict. US President Donald Trump indicated it was not too late for Tehran to halt its bombing campaign by reaching a deal on its nuclear program. American officials have withdrawn some personnel from the region amid fears that Iran could target US military bases and diplomatic missions throughout West Asia.This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, from Dubai.

 

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Iran has pulled out of the negotiations between Washington and Tehran on nuclear issue. Iran said the dialogue with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear programme is meaningless after Israel’s biggest-ever military strike. As per the media repors, Iran foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that negotiations and allowing Israel to target Iran’s territory can not go at the same time.   

 

Iran earlier accused the U.S. of being complicit in Israel’s attacks, but Washington denied the allegation.            

 

The sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks was set to be held in Muscat, Oman tomorrow.

 

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The External Affairs Ministry has said Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin in Iran who need help may contact on the emergency numbers of the Embassy of India in Iran. The contact numbers are +98 9128109115 and +98 9128109109.

 

Meanwhile, Embassy of India in Israel today released an advisory urging all Indian nationals in Israel to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and home front command in view of the prevailing situation in the region. In case of any emergency, people can contact the 24*7 helpline of the Embassy. The helpline numbers are +972 54-7520711 and +972 54-3278392 and the email is cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.    

 

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In USA, about 200 U.S. marines have been deployed in Los Angeles to protect a federal building there. The military said that the move came after a week of protests over the current administration’s immigration raids in the city.

 

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump has made decisions to dispatch over 4,000 National Guard members and about 700 active-duty marines to the Los Angeles area despite the objection of California Governor Gavin Newsom and other local officials.

 

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Heat Wave conditions are set to improve in the coming days over Northwest India. Talking to Akashvani News, The Indian Meteorological Department – IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said the region will witness thunderstorm and rainfall activity including over parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi-NCR in late evening. Meanwhile, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana due to severe heat wave today.

 

The IMD has also issued a red alert over Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, Kerela, Konkan and Goa for the next 2 days due to extremely heavy rainfall.

 

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Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that the world today is looking at India not only as a destination, but as a knowledge partner. Addressing the LOI (Letter of Intent) Granting Ceremony of five foreign universities to establish campuses in Maharashtra, held today in Mumbai, he hailed the event as a milestone in the journey of Viksit Bharat and emphasised that education will ensure a secure future for the country. He asserted that Maharashtra has long been a leader in enterprise and knowledge, and will now emerge as a leader in the education sector as well.  

  

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In shooting, India’s Suruchi Singh clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10-meter air pistol final at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. Suruchi dominated a strong field to secure her third consecutive individual ISSF World Cup gold in a thrilling final yesterday. This gold marks India’s first top-podium finish at the current edition of the ISSF World Cup, following earlier bronze medals won by Elavenil Valarivan and Sift Kaur Samra in the rifle events.

 

With this win, India’s medal tally at the competition has reached three, placing them fifth in the overall standings.

 

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In cricket, South Africa have inched closer to victory in the 2025 World Test Championship final after dominating most of the third day’s play against Australia at Lord’s in London.

 

At stumps on Day Three, South Africa were 213 for 2, chasing a target of 282. The Proteas need just 69 more runs to win the World Test Championship, with eight wickets in hand.

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a five day tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia from tomorrow.

 

  • Government forms High Level multi-disciplinary committee to probe Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad as death toll rises to 254.

 

  • Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to begin on 20th of this month; First batch of pilgrims to reach Gangtok tomorrow.

 

  • Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; Pulls out of nuclear talks with the United States.

 

  • In Shooting, Suruchi Singh clinches India’s first gold medal in women’s 10 meter air pistol final of ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany.

 

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