Morning News -

THE HEADLINES:

Government forms High Level Multi-Disciplinary Committee to probe Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad.

Iran launches retaliatory attack against Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones; US President Trump says Israel’s attack could help make nuclear deal with Iran.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assures India has adequate supplies of petroleum products for the coming months, amid West-Asia conflict.

No respite from scorching heat in North-West India as temperature breaches 45 degrees at several places; IMD issues red alert for Rajasthan for next two days.

India’s Suruchi Singh clinches gold medal in women’s 10-meter air pistol of ISSF World Cup in Munich.

In Cricket, South Africa needs 69 runs to lift World Test Championship.

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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 Gatwick Airport (London) on Thursday. In a social media post, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences. It will also suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future. It said that the committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future.

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The death toll in devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has reached to 254. The flight had total 242 people on board, with 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, along with 12 crew members. Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived. President of the Gujarat chapter of the Indian Medical Association Mehul Shah, has confirmed the deaths of four medical students and the wife of a doctor.

Eight bodies from the nearby residential area, which was affected by the crash, have been identified and handed over to their families. Blood samples from 219 relatives of the deceased have been collected to aid in DNA testing and identification.

Currently, 31 individuals are being treated for injuries at the Civil Hospital, with medical staff working around the clock to provide critical care.

An investigation is in progress to determine the exact cause of the crash. A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the aircraft’s black box-stformally known as the Flight Data Recorder-from the crash site. Forensic experts have also begun detailed examinations. Authorities state that the cause of the accident will be confirmed following a comprehensive forensic and technical analysis.

Our correspondent reports that local health, police, and security teams remain on high alert. Emergency measures and support systems have been put in place to assist the victims’ families and affected residents.

“The entire state of Gujarat is in shock after the devastating Air India plane crash. The tragedy has left families and communities grieving across the region, as the majority of the passengers on board were from various parts of the state.The administration is providing all possible support to the families of the deceased. A 24/7 control room has been set up at the Civil Hospital to coordinate relief efforts. Arrangements for accommodation and transportation have also been made to assist the grieving families.Across the state, condolence meetings and group prayer gatherings are being held to honor the victims. In a strong show of solidarity, people are also turning out in large numbers to donate blood, offering help in any way they can. Aparna Khunt/Akashvani News/Ahmedabad.”

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Iran launched a retaliatory attack against Israel on Friday night, firing hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli cities in what Tehran called “Operation Severe Punishment. The massive barrage sent air raid sirens wailing across Israel and forced millions of civilians into shelters as explosions rocked Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The Iranian assault came just hours after Israel conducted its most significant military strike against Iran since the 1980s war with Iraq, targeting nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders in what Israeli officials described as a preemptive operation to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We have a report: –

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel had initiated a war and promised that revenge would be painful, with nowhere in Israel remaining safe. Iranian state media framed the massive missile attack as the beginning of what they called a “devastating retaliation” against Israeli aggression. The Revolutionary Guard confirmed that Iranian forces were fully mobilized for continued military action, signaling that Friday night’s barrage may be only the opening salvo in a prolonged conflict. This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, from Dubai.

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US President Donald Trump has suggested that Israel’s strikes could help his administration make a nuclear deal with Iran. When asked whether the Israel bombing jeopardised the negotiations, he said, maybe now Iran will negotiate seriously.

Earlier, Mr Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call for the first time since the Israel attacked Iran. President Trump repeatedly urged Iran to make a nuclear deal to avoid further Israel strikes which he warned will be even more brutal.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over phone yesterday on the evolving situation in West Asia. In a social media post, Mr Modi said he shared India’s concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar received a call from his Israel counterpart Gideon Saar regarding ongoing developments.Mr. Jaishankar also had a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the latest situation.

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Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri said that the country has adequate energy supplies for the coming months. He informed this in a social media post after holding a review meeting yesterday with the Petroleum Secretary and heads of Indian energy public sector undertakings. The oil supply update by the minister attaches importance, given that the international oil prices shot up sharply yesterday after Israeli attack on Iran. India imports 150 billion US dollar worth of energy annually, and imports provide over 80 per cent of its crude oil requirement.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has highlighted India’s deepening strategic engagement with Europe, particularly France, guided by deeper convergences and shared interests. Speaking at the Raisina Mediterranean 2025 in Marseilles, France, he said that France is, in many ways is India’s most trusted partner in Europe. Mr Jaishankar also emphasised India’s strong interest in the Mediterranean region and the importance of partnerships driven by trade and people-to-people ties.

Regarding the Free Trade Agreement-FTA with the European Union, Dr Jaishankar said that both sides aim to finalize it within this year.

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With no respite from the heat in sight, the temperature breaches 45-degree celcius in many parts of the North India. According to IMD, Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar area recorded a temperature of 47.3 degrees Celsius while Haryana’s Sirsa, mercury touched 46.4 degrees Celsius.The India Meteorological Department-IMD has issued red alert for Rajasthan saying that severe heat wave conditions alongwith dust storm will continue to prevail in the region for the next two to three days.

Punjab is still experiencing hot weather conditions. The Met department has sounded orange alert even today. The maximum temperature 46 degree Celsius was recorded at Bathinda which is continuously reeling under severe heatwave for the last 3-4 days. We have a report: –

“Heat wave conditions with warm nights were observed at Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and some other places in Punjab. After Bathinda, the hottest district with above 45 degree Celsius temperature was Fazilka followed by Faridkot with 44 degrees, Amritsar and Ludhiana above 43 degrees whereas other districts recorded between 39 to 43 degree Celsius. The City Beautiful Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 39.6 degree Celsius yesterday. Adampur near Jalandhar had the lowest 29.9 degree Celsius. A slight relief from the ongoing hot weather conditions is likely from tomorrow June 15th onwards. Rajesh Bali/Akashvani News/Jalandhar.

In Jammu and Kashmir, intense heatwave continued to engulf the Union Territory. The MeT Department has predicted ‘orange and yellow’ alerts for the next six days, forecasting isolated heatwave with the possibility of gusty winds till June 19. Meanwhile, the weather agency has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Costal Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Konkan, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

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The Ministry of Ayush will host Yoga Connect, a hybrid global summit on Yoga for One Earth, One Health in New Delhi today. The summit is being organised as a key lead-up event to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st of this month. Today event will bring together over 1,000 participants, along with virtual attendees from leading international yoga institutions and wellness communities around the world.

Experts from more than four countries, including Bahrain, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, will join the summit. The Yoga Prabhava’ Report- Impact study of International Day of Yoga over the decade will be released during the summit.

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The Indian Army is set to receive 419 newly commissioned young officers today. The Passing Out Parade is currently underway at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with a total of 451 Gentleman Cadets participating. Among them, 32 cadets are from friendly foreign nations who, after completing their training, will join the armed forces of their respective countries.

The parade is being reviewed by the Chief of the Sri Lankan Army, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, who is present as the Reviewing Officer.

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In Shooting, India’s Suruchi Singh has clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10-meter air pistol final of the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. She defeated Camille Jedrzejewski of France by 0.2-point margin with a total of 241.9 points yesterday. China’s Yao Qianxun claimed the bronze medal with 221.7 points. This is Suruchi’s 3rd Consecutive individual Gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in 10-meter air pistol event.

This gold marks India’s first top-podium finish at this edition of the ISSF World Cup, following the bronze medals won earlier in the week by Elavenil Valarivan and Sift Kaur Samra in rifle events.

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South Africa have inched closer to victory in the World Test Championship 2025 final after they dominated the majority of the third day’s play against Australia at Lord’s today. The Proteas need 69 runs to win the World Test Championship with eight wickets in hand. Chasing 282 to win, the Proteas were 213 for 2 at stumps on day three in a stirring bid to win a first ICC trophy in 27 years.

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In the FIH Hockey Pro League, the Indian men’s and women’s team will be in action today. India’s men team faces a critical test as they gear up to take on Australia in Antwerp, Belgium. The match is set to begin at 2 PM Indian standard time. While, the Women’s Hockey Team is set to kick off the second and final leg of the League, facing Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China in the European leg. The women in blue will take on the Aussies at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in London.

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NEWSPAPERS headlines:

The AI-171 crash continues to dominate headlines. ” Black box in focus, AI Dreamliner crash probe to examine anomalies ” leads Hindustan Times. The paper writes, “Prime Minister inspects Ahmedabad accident site, meets ex-Chief Minister Rupani’s family “

“India, 18 others abstain; 149 back UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire”, reports The Times of India.

“Israel strikes Iran nuclear sites, military leaders; Tehran retaliates with missiles”, states The Hindu.

“With 8.7 million diaspora in West Asia, India is concerned over escalating tensions”, says The Tribune.

“India, France agree to intensify defence, space, nuclear cooperation”, reports The Indian Express.

The Times of India quotes the Supreme Court as saying, ” TV anchor not liable for panellist’s statement.”

“Video KYC, any-branch update now allowed for dormant bank accounts ” informs The Statesman.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

Government forms High Level Multi-Disciplinary Committee to probe Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad.

Iran launches retaliatory attack against Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones; US President Trump says Israel’s attack could help make nuclear deal with Iran.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assures India has adequate supplies of petroleum products for the coming months, amid West-Asia conflict.

No respite from scorching heat in North-West India as temperature breaches 45 degrees at several places; IMD issued red alert for Rajasthan for next two days.