News Menu, June 18: Israel-Iran conflict rages on; PM in Croatia after G7 Summit
Good morning. On June 17-18, 1858, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi died fighting British forces in the Battle of Gwalior during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, her heroic sacrifice inspiring India's quest for freedom.In her memory, India Today presents a news menu weaving global crises, diplomatic endeavors, and domestic developments, reflecting a nation's resilience amid adversity.Middle-East Crisis: Iran-Israel Conflict Enters Sixth Dayadvertisement
Israel lifts air raid warnings, claiming to have intercepted most Iranian missiles, while Iran announces a new wave of attacks. Donald Trump, asserting 'complete control over Iran's skies,' rules out killing Iran's Supreme Leader for now, urging Tehran to abandon nuclear ambitions. Evidence continues to point at the United States' imminent participation in Israel's bombing campaign. Quick Take: Trump's rhetoric escalates tensions while offering a pause on extreme measures. Iran's resilience is being tested with its allies like Syria pushed out of the battle zone. Will it surrender to Trump's diktat or carry on despite mounting risks to its existence?India Ramps Up Evacuation Amid Iran-Israel EscalationIndia intensified efforts to evacuate citizens as the Iran-Israel conflict worsens, with 110 students reaching Armenia for repatriation soon. The MEA coordinates with Israel's ambassador to ensure safety amid heightened security concerns.advertisementPM Modi's Three-Nation Tour Concludes in CroatiaThe Prime Minister visits Croatia on Wednesday, the first Indian PM to do so, concluding his G7 tour, after a brief visit to Cyprus. The visit aims to bolster India-Croatia ties amid global tensions. The historic Croatia visit enhances India's Balkan outreach.Ahmedabad Plane Crash: DNA Testing Nears CompletionDNA matching for Air India Flight AI-171 victims continues, with 167 matches completed, and 133 bodies released by Tuesday. Experts expect one to two more days, as the high-level committee probe advances.Weather: Rain Brings ReliefDelhi will enjoy pleasant weather with light to moderate rain until Thursday, under a yellow alert. Heavy rain alerts for South Gujarat, Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, providing heat wave respite.INS Arnala Commissioned: Maritime MilestoneIndia commissions INS Arnala, its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, on Wednesday, marking self-reliance in maritime defense. The ship bolsters coastal protection against submarine threats.Karnataka: Congress Leader Targets Own PartyChief Minister's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah criticises Congress for delaying Karnataka's caste survey report, denying justice to backward classes. He blames internal resistance and dismisses objections as politically motivated. Internal Congress rifts weaken its Karnataka narrative. The caste survey delay risks alienating key voters. Yathindra's outspokenness may spark leadership debates.advertisementTelangana: BRS-Congress Clash Over Phone TappingThe BRS-Congress feud intensifies over alleged phone tapping during the BRS regime. KTR plans legal action against PCC president, while CM Revanth and YS Sharmila escalate accusations.DMK vs. Centre: Keeladi Excavation DisputeCM Stalin accused the Centre of suppressing Keeladi excavation data, claiming challenges to Tamil identity. DMK's student wing plans protests in Madurai, while the Centre alleges DMK politicization. The dispute highlights Centre-state cultural tensions. DMK's protests leverage Tamil pride for political gain. Resolution hinges on transparent archaeological collaboration.Parting Bite'I will not give up my Jhansi!' declared Rani Lakshmibai in 1857, her defiance echoing through India's trials today. India Today presents Rani Lakhmibai's final stand, leading to her martyrdom in a special story.
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Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Mahashtra introduces Hindi as 3rd language in schools, move sparks backlash
Hindi will now be taught as the third language in English and Marathi medium schools in Maharashtra from classes 1 to 5, the state government said on Tuesday. According to the government order, Hindi has not been mandatory and will 'generally' be the third language. However, if at least 20 students per grade want to study any language other than Hindi as a third, the schools have an option to opt out. The move, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, drew sharp criticism from not just the Opposition but also Marathi language advocates, who accused the government of giving a 'backdoor' entry to the policy after initially backtracking, reported PTI. Congress, which is in opposition in the state, accused Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest. The order gives an option to schools to opt out of teaching Hindi if 20 students from each standard wish to learn some other language. "Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online," the order read. If a demand of teaching any other language arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online, the order added. For schools that follow other mediums of instruction, the three-language formula must include the medium language, Marathi and English, the order said. The fresh move by the Maharashtra education department comes in contrast to what the state's education minister said earlier. When the Maharashtra government tried to bring the three language policy earlier this year by introducing Hindi from class 1, it was met with severe backlash. Following this, state's School Education Minister Dada Bhuse on April 22 said that Hindi will not be compulsory. 'The decision to introduce Hindi from class 1 as a third language was taken earlier. However, many parents have suggested it be introduced from class 3 instead. We will consider these suggestions before taking any further decision," Bhuse said at an event in Pune last month. He added that the three-language formula was 'on hold' and that the schools will operate under the current two-language system for now. However, the fresh move by the state government contradicts Bhuse's statements. Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra called the action 'nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi'. "The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he said in a social media post According to Vasant Kalpande, former chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, it will be difficult for the students at such a young age to understand the nuances and differences between Marathi and Hindi scripts and that it is not likely to find 20 students in a class who want to study some other language than Hindi. "The provision to make teacher available online is also an attempt to discourage opting for any other language than Hindi," he said. He also pointed out that in Gujarat and Assam, which are also BJP-ruled states, Hindi is not a mandatory third language in schools. Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal slammed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and said he has 'once again stabbed a dagger into the heart of Maharashtra'. He called the option of opting out of Hindi 'a pretense of choice while a deliberate conspiracy to impose Hindi!' 'This is nothing but BJP's anti-Maharashtra agenda, a plot to destroy the Marathi language, Marathi identity, and the Marathi people. It is clear from this that the loyalty of Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar lies not with Maharashtra or the Marathi people but with the rulers in Delhi,' Sapkal said in a post on X. 'The Shinde faction, which repeatedly invokes Balasaheb Thackeray's name, controls the education department, yet they have stabbed a dagger in the back of Shiv Sena, just as they have taken a contract to murder Marathi.' 'Ajit Pawar is so desperate for power that he cares little whether Maharashtra, the Marathi language, or the Marathi people live or die. His only policy is to secure the finance department for himself,' he added. With PTI inputs.
New Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Hindi spoken largely in public life, learning it will benefit students: Maharashtra minister
MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Dada Bhuse on Wednesday defended the government's decision of Hindi to be taught as the third language in schools, saying it is widely used in daily communication and will help Class 12 students in higher education. The school education minister also warned of strict action against schools not teaching Marathi, as per the curriculum. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued an order saying Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the state from classes 1 to 5. The amended government resolution (GR) said Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being mandatory, and gave an option to opt out if 20 students per grade in a school express the desire to study any Indian language other than Hindi. Some pro-Marathi outfits accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking, and the opposition Congress accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest.
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First Post
35 minutes ago
- First Post
3 big takeaways from PM Modi declining Trump's stopover request
PM Modi was scheduled to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, but the meeting could not take place as the president had to leave for the US earlier than scheduled to deal with the Israel-Iran conflict read more US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. File Image/Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a 35-minute-long phone call with US President Donald Trump and clarified that Washington did not mediate between India and Pakistan, destroying the American leader's repeated claims that he played a role in halting the conflict. In a call that was requested by Trump , PM Modi gave a detailed briefing to the president about Operation Sindoor. This was the first direct conversation between the two leaders since the Pahalgam attack of April 22. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi was scheduled to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, but the meeting could not take place as the president had to leave for the US earlier than scheduled to deal with the Israel-Iran conflict. The US president, however. tried to reschedule his meeting with PM Modi. Here's how the events unfolded during their phone call: PM Modi is on his way to Croatia after concluding his trip to Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit. Trump reportedly asked PM Modi to stopover in the US before heading to the European nation. This request was denied as PM Modi said he honours Croatia and is the first prime minister ever to visit the country Meanwhile, Trump is slated to meet Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir today (Wednesday) over lunch, where they are likely to discuss the India-Pakistan conflict. So, if Trump's request for a US stopover had been accepted, he would have met PM Modi on the same day as he is scheduled to meet Munir During the phone call, PM Modi directly addressed Trump's repeated claims of mediation through trade to bring an end to the India-Pakistan conflict. Indian government officials have been reiterating that the prime minister never spoke to the US president during or after the launch of Operation Sindoor. In the phone call today, PM Modi told Trump that he had only talked to US Vice President JD Vance, who had called him to warn that Pakistan might launch a retaliatory attack
