News Menu, June 19: PM wraps up historic Croatia visit; Keeladi hots up Tamil Nadu
Good morning. On June 19, 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor as a gift from France, symbolising freedom and resilience. In its spirit, India Today presents a news menu blending global conflicts, diplomatic efforts, and domestic milestones, reflecting a nation's resolve amid challenges.Iran-Israel War: Conflict Enters Seventh DayIran launched hypersonic "Sajil" missiles (2,000 km range) at Israel, marking their first use in this conflict, as per Iranian state TV. Israel reports striking 40 Iranian sites, including centrifuge production and weapons facilities, while Iran deployed drones in retaliation.advertisement
Over 585 killed in Israel's attacks on Iran; 24 deaths reported in Israel from Iranian strikes.Iran denies Trump's claim of seeking White House talks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected an "imposed war" or peace, warning that US strikes on Iran would bring "serious irreparable consequences."Quick Take: Khamenei's defiance signals Iran's intent to escalate despite heavy losses. Will Trump's pressure force a diplomatic pause, or deepen the regional crisis?Operation Sindhu: Indian Students Evacuated from IranUnder Operation Sindhu, 110 Indian students stranded in northern Iran amid the conflict landed in Delhi early Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs coordinated their evacuation, with more expected to follow. Students' reactions reflect relief and anxiety over the escalating war.PM Modi's Historic Croatia VisitPrime Minister Narendra Modi, the first Indian PM to visit Croatia, concludes his three-nation tour on Thursday. Bilateral talks focused on trade, technology, and counter-terrorism, strengthening India's Balkan outreach. PM Modi returns to India today.advertisementBypolls in Five Assembly Seats TodayBypolls for Kadi (SC) and Visavadar (Gujarat), Nilambur (Kerala), Ludhiana West (Punjab), and Kaliganj (West Bengal) are set for June 20, with vote counting on June 23.Gujarat: Kadi's poll follows BJP MLA Karsanbhai Solanki's death; Visavadar's due to AAP MLA's resignation. BJP fields Rajendra Chavda (Kadi) and Kirit Patel (Visavadar); Congress nominates Ramesh Chavda (Kadi) and Nitin Ranpariya (Visavadar); AAP fields Jagdish Chavda (Kadi) and Gopal Italia (Visavadar).Kerala: Nilambur's bypoll stems from PV Anvar's resignation. Congress fields Aryadan Shoukath; LDF nominates M Swaraj.Punjab: Ludhiana West's poll follows AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi's death. AAP fields Sanjeev Arora, facing Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu, BJP's Jiwan Gupta, and SAD's Parupkar Singh Ghumman.West Bengal: Kaliganj's bypoll was triggered by Trinamool MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed's death. Trinamool fields Alifa Ahmed; BJP nominates Ashish Ghosh; Congress-Left fields Kabil Uddin Shaikh.These bypolls test regional political dynamics ahead of 2026-27 state elections.Sonia Gandhi Health UpdateCongress leader Sonia Gandhi, hospitalised for medical evaluation, is likely to be discharged on June 20. Her condition is stable.Upcoming Census: A Deep DiveAs India prepares for its next Census, key questions arise about data collection, methodology evolution, and socio-political implications. India Today presents an in-depth story on the Census's scope and impact.advertisementDelhi Water Crisis and Rain AftermathDelhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta meets Water Minister Pravesh Verma to address the water crisis and post-rain waterlogging. Heavy rain under a cyclonic circulation disrupts normalcy, with IMD alerts till June 23.Mumbai: Yellow Alert for Heavy RainMumbai faces another round of heavy rain on Thursday, under a yellow alert, after recent waterlogging chaos. IMD forecasts disruptions till June 23.South Stories: Kerala and Tamil Nadu TensionsKerala: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticises Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for displaying RSS leaders' portraits at Raj Bhavan, accusing him of pushing an RSS agenda.Tamil Nadu: Actor-politician Vijay and DMK escalate rhetoric against the Centre over Keeladi excavation, alleging suppression of Tamil identity. Vijay warns, 'Tamil civilisation is a volcano.'Bengaluru: Human Skeleton FoundA human skeleton was discovered in an apartment pit in Begur, Bengaluru, prompting a police investigation.Ahmedabad Plane Crash: DNA Testing in ProgressDNA matching for Air India Flight AI-171 victims continues, with 206 samples matched and 169 bodies released by Wednesday. The crash claimed 274 lives. Ramesh Vishwaskumar, 38, is the lone survivor, having jumped from the plane. CCTV footage shows the pilot's failed attempt to regain thrust after takeoff.advertisementA new bride from Balotra, headed to London, and five family members from Banswara were among the victims. Arjun Patolia from Amreli, who came to perform his wife's last rites, also perished. Two Manipur cabin crew are feared dead. Tata Group pledges Rs 1 crore per victim's family.Parting BiteAs the Indian cricket team prepares for the first Test against England, every fan is debating the legacy of Virat Kohli vis a vis the top three–Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Dravid. Where do you think he stands?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
"This Partnership Is a Good Marriage" - Piyush Goyal Kicks Off IGF London 2025 with UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds
PRNewswire London [UK], June 19: On the opening day of India Global Forum London, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds jointly defended the recently finalised India-UK Free Trade Agreement, pushing back against criticism of national insurance exemptions granted to short-term Indian workers. * Goyal and Reynolds push back against criticism over insurance exemptions, marking first joint public appearance since FTA finalisation In a rare joint session at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, both leaders addressed concerns surrounding the national insurance exemption for short-term Indian workers, a provision included in the deal that has drawn scrutiny from segments of the British media and political circles. Piyush Goyal dismissed criticism that the insurance waiver was a one-sided concession. "It's unfair to call it a giveaway," he said. "The agreement provides stability and predictability to business, and benefits workers from both sides. In fact, similar arrangements exist in many countries, and this is a win-win for mobility and trade." Reinforcing the principle of fairness, Goyal added: "They should not be double taxed, as they pay social security costs in the UK and India." UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds backed the provision, asserting that British workers would not be negatively impacted. He said: "No British worker is undercut by this UK-India FTA agreement. Business mobility has improved due to this; in turn, it has improved access to services and procurement." Both leaders stressed on the strategic alignment between the two nations. UK Secretary Jonathan Reynolds reinforced the need for practical cooperation: "We have built a relationship that allows us to deliver an ambitious agreement like this one. India is one of the most exciting countries in the world, and actually one of the most important; with the problems we face globally, I can't see any way to fix those without India playing a leading role." This was the first public appearance by the two ministers since the FTA's conclusion, and their joint presence on Day 1 of IGF London sent a strong signal of bilateral resolve. Goyal added: "There is hardly anything in which India and the UK compete; we complement each other. I believe this partnership is a good marriage. I see bilateral trade doubling in the next five years." Reynolds also underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship and optimism about the future: "India and the UK have built a relationship to deliver the FTA. I am genuinely excited by the future opportunities for both countries." Echoing this vision of outcome-driven collaboration, Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, stated: "We at IGF are building partnerships for the future. We are connecting the dots across sectors, across geographic areas, and across generations. Each initiative is outcome-driven, measurable and future-focused. Powered by three key forces--Technology, Talent and Capital--we are linking Global Britain and Global India in tangible and transformative ways." Day 1 of IGF London 2025 set the stage for a high-powered three-day summit featuring 100+ speakers, 1000+ participants, and sessions across iconic London venues. With bold conversations spanning AI, energy transition, healthtech, geopolitics, and the creative economy, the forum was driving forward the momentum of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. To know more, click here For Media Enquiries Contact Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
West Bengal bye-election: 30.6% voter turnout recorded in Kaliganj till 11am
Polling officials recorded a voter turnout of 30.6% till 11 am in the Kaliganj assembly seat bye-election as the process went on smoothly in the first half of the day in West Bengal's Nadia district on Thursday. The bye-election was necessitated due to the sudden demise of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed in February this year. Counting of votes will be held on June 23. 'Voting was going on peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents,' said a poll panel official in West Bengal. While the ruling TMC has fielded Alifa Ahmed, daughter of the former MLA and an IT engineer by profession, the BJP has fielded Ashis Ghosh, a businessman, as its candidate. The Congress, meanwhile, has fielded Kabil Uddin Shaikh with the support of the CPI(M). Kaliganj has a Muslim voter population of around 54%, along with SCs (14%) and STs (0.42%). It is predominantly rural, with more than 90% rural and around 9% urban population, as per Census 2011. The TMC had first won the seat in 2011 after it came to power ending the 34-year-old Left regime when Nasiruddin Ahmed was elected. In 2016, he lost the seat to Congress-CPM alliance candidate Sheikh Hasanuzzaman. However, Hasanuzzaman later joined Trinamool. Nasiruddin reclaimed the Kaliganj seat in the 2021 Assembly polls. The seat fell vacant after his demise. The bye-election is being seen as a litmus test for both the ruling TMC and its arch rival the BJP ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
What is Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and why Israel attacked it? Explained
Israel on Thursday carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor in its latest offensive against Tehran's sprawling nuclear programme on the seventh day of escalating conflict in the Middle East. The Israeli strikes came parallelly with an Iranian missile hitting a hospital in the southern part of the country, causing 'extensive damage', according to the Associated Press. Israel had warned on Thursday morning that it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area. Iran Israel war live updates. The Arak Nuclear Complex, located in the Western part of the country, around 280 kilometres from the capital Tehran, comprises a heavy water experimental reactor and an adjacent heavy water production plant. Also Read: Missiles hit Israel's main hospital in south, Iran's Arak heavy water reactor The heavy water from the facility helps cool nuclear reactors. Though Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, the reactor produces weapons-grade plutonium as a byproduct, which can potentially be used in nuclear weapons, several websites, including Politico and Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance, reported. If Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, the plutonium would help it develop a nuclear bomb without enriching uranium. The international community has remained concerned over the Arak reactor, as several other countries have used such a reactor to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. Moreover, the details regarding the development of the facility have been murky, with reports of foreign experts, including Russia, contributing to the construction. Iran started secretly developing a Heavy Water Research Reactor in 2003 after several nuclear suppliers rejected its requests in the 1990s. In 2015, Iran reached a landmark accord with several world powers, including the US, which is popularly known as the Iran nuclear agreement. Also Read: Iran warns against US intervention in conflict with Israel: 'All options on table' Under the agreement, Iran agreed to redesign the facility and dismantle much of its nuclear programme to relieve proliferation concerns- a move which was agreed in exchange of several billions of dollars' worth of sanctions, Politico reported. In 2019, the country started the secondary circuit of the heavy water reactor. Though Iran didn't violate 2015 nuclear deal, the move resulted in the country getting closer towards developing nuclear weapons. During the crucial interphase, UK stepped in to help Iran redesign the Arak reactor to limit the amount of plutonium produced as the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 after Trump came into power, according to the Associated Press. As part of the 2015 deal, Tehran also agreed to sell off its heavy water to the West to comply with the terms of the accord. Several international agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, have been urging Israel not to attack Iranian nuclear sites. The Israeli military said that the fighter jets targeted the Arak facility to halt Iran from producing plutonium. "The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development," Israel said. However, Iran has maintained that the water reactor facility is for peaceful purposes. Iran enriches uranium up to 60 per cent, which is slightly short of weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.
