THE HEADLINES:
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau initiates formal investigation into Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ahmedabad this morning.
- Air India confirms death of 241 people onboard.
- Tata Group to provide one crore rupees to the families of each person who lost their life.
- NIA searches 15 locations in Punjab and Haryana in Babbar Khalsa-linked grenade attack case.
- Ministry of External Affairs urges Indian nationals to take safety precautions amid Los Angeles protests in US.
- Israel launches airstrikes on Iranian capital Tehran; Emergency declared across Israel.
- In shooting, Sift Kaur Samra wins Bronze medal at ISSF World Cup in Munich.
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Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated formal investigation into Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that the investigation will be done in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Minister informed that the government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail.
Earlier, Air India has confirmed that 241 people on board its London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport yesterday. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. According to Air India, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national. The other 12 people on board were two pilots and 10 crew members. The dead included several people on the ground. Former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani was among the dead. One passenger identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived the crash. The pilot of the plane issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff at 1.39 pm. The ill-fated flight was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal along with First Officer Clive Kundar. While Sabharwal has 8,200 hours of flying experience, Kundar 1,100 hours. Aircraft maker Boeing said in a statement that it is in contact with Air India and stands ready to offer any support to the Tata-owned airline. Shares of Boeing fell more than 4 percent yesterday after Air India plane crash. The plane involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered to Air India in 2014.
Meanwhile, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran has announced that the company will provide one crore rupees to the families of each person who lost their life in the tragic crash. He also said that the Tata Group will cover the medical expenses of those who were injured and ensure they receive full care and support. He added that the Tata Group will also help build a new hostel at BJ Medical College as part of its support efforts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Ahmedabad hours after the plane crash yesterday. Speaking to the media, Mr Shah said that the entire nation is shocked by the unfortunate incident, and all citizens of the country stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
The Home Minister also confirmed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has already initiated a formal investigation into the incident to determine its cause.
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National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Haryana related to the Babbar Khalsa International terror organization, in connection with the Amritsar Police Post grenade attack case.
In a statement, the NIA informed that a total of 15 locations were searched across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, and Rupnagar districts in Punjab, as well as in Sirsa, Haryana yesterday.
During the searches, several incriminating materials, including mobile phones, digital devices, and documents, were seized. These are being examined for further clues related to the BKI terror syndicate.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged Indian nationals to take suitable safety precautions amid protests in Los Angeles, United States. While responding to a question about the situation in Los Angeles, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco is closely monitoring the situation.
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Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on Iran last night. Explosions were heard across Iranian capital Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, his country targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran has been hit in the Israeli attacks. Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami has been killed in the strike. He is among several senior leaders who have died in the attack. Fereydoon Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization has also been killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and will continue for as many days as it takes.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Konkan, Goa, and Maharashtra over the next three days. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, reaching speeds of up to 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, are also expected at isolated places in these states.
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Amid the intense heatwave conditions, nearly half of Himachal Pradesh is now in the grip of scorching temperatures. Not just the plains, even hill stations like Shimla and Manali are experiencing unusually high temperatures, leaving people drenched in sweat.
The trend of rising maximum temperatures continues across most parts of Himachal Pradesh. People in the plains districts, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur are facing severe heat. Maximum temperatures in these areas are being recorded above 40 degrees Celsius. Amid this intense heat, not only the plains but also hill stations like Shimla and Manali are reeling under unusually hot conditions. According to the Meteorological Department, hot winds are likely to blow across some parts of the plains in Himachal. The department has urged all citizens to remain alert and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from heatstroke. However, the department has also forecast rain and thunderstorms at several places in the state from today till June 15. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.”
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In Punjab, Red and Orange alerts have been issued for today and for the coming couple of days due to heat wave across the state and Union Territory of Chandigarh.
“The Chandigarh based Indian MeT Department had issued red alert for yesterday and for today. Bathinda with 46.8 degree Celsius was the hottest in the state, yesterday followed by the industrial town Ludhiana with above 45 degrees. Fazilka, Faridkot, Ferozepur were recorded temperatures above 44 degree Celsius whereas rest of the places were between 39 to 43 degree Celsius with warm nights. The City Beautiful, Chandigarh recorded 41.7 degree Celsius. The public has been advised to stay hydrated, remain indoors during peak heat hours, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Meanwhile, some relief is expected from June 15 onwards as thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
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Heavy rain continues to lash in several parts of Karnataka. Coastal region, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri in North, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Shivamogga and Davangere in South Interior region were witness to heavy rain with sustained wind conditions. The Met department has issued red and orange alerts in these districts till June 18.
“The heavy showers pounding several parts of Karnataka have badly affected normal life. In Dharwad Benne Halla and Thuppari Halla Canals are overflowing due to heavy downpour. The twin cities of Dharwad and Hubballi were pounded by rain yesterday putting normal life out of gear. Anganwadies and schools remained closed in the district. Gadag Deputy Commissioner C N Sridhar has asked residents living near Benne halla canal to take precautions. In Chikmagalur continuous rain caused damage to roads and electric poles. Power cuts were reported from several parts of the district. Several houses were damaged, trees uprooted, roads and bridges submerged in Coastal Karnataka and there were reports of hills caving in. In Kodagu too rain affected normal life with schools and anganwadi kendras remaining closed. Sudhindra, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”
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Moving on to the world of sports, Indian shooter Sift Kaur Samra secured a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Munich, Germany yesterday.
“The 23-year-old Sift shot 453.1 in the final to claim third place. Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad won gold with 466.9, while Switzerland’s Emely Jaeggi took silver with 464.8. This was India’s second medal at the Munich World Cup, following Elavenil Valarivan’s bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle event.
In the ICC World Test Championship Final, Australia finished Day 2 at 144 for 8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead over South Africa with Starc and Nathan Lyon at crease yesterday.
Akashvani is providing ball-by-ball commentary of the WTC Final, alternately in Hindi and English, which can be heard on Indraprastha and other channels from 2:55 PM to 10 PM or until the end of the match.
Next we have from the FIH Hockey Pro League where India suffered a narrow 1-2 loss to Argentina at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands last evening. With Mayur Jain, Aishwarya Rai Nigam, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Dailies have reported extensively on their front page on the London-bound Air India plane that crashed seconds after take off, in Ahmedabad yesterday, showing photographs of the disaster. “Dreamliner Disaster” headlines Hindustan Times. “Ahmedabad air horror”, reads The Tribune
- The Pioneer carries the photograph of the sole known survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who recounts how, within 30 seconds of take off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed.
- The Indian Express reports that the US will join the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau probe into the first fatal crash of Boeing 787.
- India has strongly condemned the “despicable act” of vandalism of Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home in Bangladesh, and urged the interim government to take strict action, writes The Asian Age.
- And finally, enduring heatwave for the fourth consecutive day yesterday, Delhi experienced its hottest day of the season with 54.4 degrees celcius on heat index, reports The Times of India.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau initiates formal investigation into Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ahmedabad this morning.
- Air India confirms death of 241 people onboard.
- Tata Group to provide one crore rupees to the families of each person who lost their life.
- NIA searches 15 locations in Punjab and Haryana in Babbar Khalsa-linked grenade attack case.
- Ministry of External Affairs urges Indian nationals to take safety precautions amid Los Angeles protests in US.
- Israel launches airstrikes on Iranian capital Tehran; Emergency declared across Israel.
- In shooting, Sift Kaur Samra wins Bronze medal at ISSF World Cup in Munich.
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