THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his G7 Italy visit; Says he presented India’s perspective at the world stage.
- International peace conference for Ukraine to take place in Switzerland today.
- Eight Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh.
- In Sikkim, incessant heavy rainfall causes multiple landslides in Northern part of the state; More than 1,200 tourists still stranded.
- In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket, India to lock horns with Canada in their last group stage match in Florida this evening.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to New Delhi this morning after concluding his day-long visit to Italy. In a social media post, the Prime Minister described the visit as productive and said, it was an important G7 Summit, where he presented India’s perspective at the world stage. He highlighted that the discussions were held with world leaders on various subjects. He further expressed a shared commitment to create impactful solutions that benefit the global community and create a better world for future generations.
Ministry of External Affairs said, this visit saw fruitful dialogues on key global issues under the G7 platform and the deepening of India’s partnership with countries participating in the Summit.
During his visit, the Prime Minister attended the G7 summit and held bilaterals with several world leaders including his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Addressing the Outreach Session at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy yesterday, Mr Modi elaborated on India’s energy transition pathway noting that its approach was based on availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability.
<><><>
In the run-up to the 10th edition of the International Yoga Day on 21st June, Prime Minister Modi today shared a video clip of Ardh Chakrasana or the half wheel posture on social media platform X. Sharing the video, the Prime Minister urged people to practice the posture for a healthy heart and improved blood flow.
<><><>
In Switzerland, an international conference aiming to lay the groundwork for a peace process in the Ukraine war will take place at the Burgenstock Resort on Lake Lucerne today. Prime Ministers and other high-ranking representatives from around 100 countries, as well as from international organisations, are expected to attend the conference. They will discuss issues ranging from grain exports from Ukraine, the safety of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges.
The two-day conference primarily aims to mobilise international support for Ukraine – including from countries that are friendly to Russia. Russia has not been invited to the summit. The Swiss government said that there was no invitation because Russia had no intention of attending. In response, Russia described a peace summit without its involvement as futile.
India is the only South Asian country that will attend the peace summit, according to a list of participating states released by the organisers. India will be represented by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
<><><>
At least 8 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh today. Two security personnel have also been injured in the exchange of fire. A joint team of ITBP, District Reserve Guard and Special Task Force had launched a search on the basis of inputs regarding the presence of Maoists in Abujhmad area of Bastar division.
An encounter took place this morning. The search operation is still going on in the area. Detailed information about the incident is awaited.
<><><>
As the first parliamentary session of 18th Lok Sabha is set to begin from 24th of this month, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today said that government is positively looking forward to work together with all the political parties and members to run the Parliament smoothly. Highlighting the importance of first session, Mr Rijiju said
Our correspondent reports that the first session of Rajya Sabha after the 18th Lok Sabha elections will commence on 27th of this month. The sessions of both houses will conclude on 3rd of July.
<><><>
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari today asked the newly commissioned flying officers to adapt new technologies especially in cyber sector and effectively use the expertise to win wars. Addressing them after the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal near Hyderabad, the Chief of Air Staff said the modern warfare is no longer physical and it became a dynamic one, where cyber technology play crucial role. The Chief of the Air Staff has presented wings and President’s Commission to about 200 flight cadets of flying and ground duty branches, who completed the pre-commissioned training.
<><><>
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer around 20 thousand crore rupees in Nine crore three lakh farmers’ account on 18th June under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Mr. Chouhan said that he has written letter to all Chief Minister to join the Prime Minister’s event on 18th June. He highlighted that after assuming charge as Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, he is discussing and working on every important issue related to the welfare of farmers with officials of the ministry.
<><><>
The Delhi High Court has directed Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and five others to remove the video of court proceedings they posted on social media. The video showed her husband addressing the Rouse Avenue Court on 28th March, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Division bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna and Justice Amit Sharma issued the notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) against Sunita Kejriwal and others for allegedly violating the Video Conferencing Rules.
<><><>
Incessant rains over the past four days have wreaked havoc in North Sikkim. The unprecedented heavy rainfall has caused multiple landslides and breaches on roads leading to North Sikkim, including Dikchu-Sanklang-Toong, Mangan-Sanklang, Singtham-Rangrang, and Rangrang-Toong. These events have severely disrupted connectivity, stranding approximately 1200-1500 tourists in the region. The situation worsened with the collapse of the newly constructed suspension bridge at Sanklang, which was a critical link for the Dzongu region and North Sikkim.
<><><>
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that extremely heavy rainfall will continue to batter Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Northeastern part of the country for the next 4 days. The IMD said, isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely to occur over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim today. Meanwhile, Meghalaya and Assam are likely to witness similar weather conditions till 18th of this month. The weather department also forecast that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to persist over northern parts of India during the next 4 days.
<><><>
Two women died when a wall portion of a three-storey structure collapsed in Wadala near Mumbai last night. As per the the BMC’s disaster management cell, a wall of second and third floor partially collapsed around 9.30 PM in the Antop Hill area of Wadala.
<><><>
The 18th edition of Mumbai International Film Festival – MIFF 2024 will be inaugurated in Mumbai today. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw is going to be present for the opening ceremony. Interestingly, parallel screenings will also be held in Delhi, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai, broadening the festival’s reach to audiences across the country. These four cities will also witness dazzling red-carpet events.
314 films from 59 countries in 61 languages, 8 world premieres, 5 international premieres, 18 Asia premieres and 21 India premieres are going to be screened as part of MIFF this year.
Addressing a curtain raiser press conference in Mumbai yesterday, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mr. Sanjay Jaju said that the objective of the 6-day film festival is not just to promote cinema, but to reflect upon topical and socio-economic issues and to guide policy makers towards solutions.
<><><>
Sahitya Akademi today announced Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2024 and Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2024 in New Delhi. A total of 24 writers have been selected for Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2024 and 23 writers for Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2024. In a statement, Sahitya Akademi informed that an amount of 50 thousand rupees along with an engraved copper plaque will be awarded to all selected writers.
<><><>
Over 20 lakh people from across the world including India are performing Haj in Saudi Arabia today. Marking the beginning of five-day pilgrimage yesterday, Haj pilgrims spent the night at Mina. They are now converging at plains of Arafat for the main ritual of Haj -reciting prayers. They will spend the day there, praying and asking for God’s forgiveness.
The pilgrims will listen the Khutba-e-Haj or Haj Sermon at Nimra mosque and offer midday and afternoon prayers together before leaving for Muzdalifah in the evening. The pilgrims will return to Mina tomorrow morning for ritual of animal sacrifice and symbolic stoning of devil.
<><><>
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket, India will take on Canada in their last group stage match at Central Broward Park Stadium in Florida, this evening. We have a report:
The inaugural champions, India have already secured a spot in the Super 8 from Group A. The Men in Blue have displayed consistent strength throughout the tournament, thanks to the batting unit led by skipper Rohit Sharma and the formidable bowling attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah. They defeated Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA in their previous matches. On the other hand, Canada, having won one match and lost two, aims to gain valuable experience and exposure at this level of competition. The match is merely a formality, as USA also advanced to the Super 8 from Group A, after their match against Ireland was washed out due to rain, last night. Meanwhile, Defending Champions, England is set to face Namibia at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Later in the day a victory in the match is imperative for England to secure a spot in the Super 8. Shefali Singh, Sports Desk, Akashvani, Delhi.
<><><>
In Tennis, India’s N. Sriram Balajiand his partner Andre Begemann of Germany have advanced to the Men’s doubles Final of the ATP Challenger tournament in Perugia, Italy. The Indo-German duo will take on the top seeded, Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela of Mexico and Guido Andreozzi of Argentina in the final, this evening. Another Indian star, Sumit Nagal, has advanced to the semifinals in the men’s singles of the tournament. Sumit defeated Maks Kasnikowski of Poland 6-4, 7-5 in the quarterfinal in Perugia yesterday.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his G7 Italy visit; Says he presented India’s perspective at the world stage.
- International peace conference for Ukraine to take place in Switzerland today.
- Eight Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh.
- In Sikkim, incessant heavy rainfall causes multiple landslides in Northern part of the state; More than 1,200 tourists still stranded.
- In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket, India to lock horns with Canada in their last group stage match in Florida this evening.
<><><>
