Top news of the day: June 17, 2025
Air India cancels two Dreamliner flights
Air India has cancelled its Delhi-Paris flight on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) after some problems were identified during pre-flight checks, according to the airline. Apart from this another Air India's flight to London from Ahmedabad, which has started operating with a new code post-June 12 crash of AI-171 plane, was cancelled on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) due to unavailability of aircraft, resulting from airspace curbs and additional precautionary checks, the airline said.
An Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai suffered a technical snag in one of its engines due to which passengers had to be deplaned during a scheduled halt at the city's airport early on Tuesday (June 17, 2025).
Iran accuses G7 of siding with Israel with de-escalation call
Iran accused the Group of Seven nations on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) of siding with Israel in its call for 'de-escalation' in their intensifying conflict, now in its fifth day. 'The G7 must give up its one-sided rhetoric and tackle the real source of the escalation – Israel's aggression,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.
Explosions heard across Tehran; Israel warns Khamenei he risks fate like Saddam's
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday he could suffer a fate 'similar to' Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was toppled and later executed. Katz warned Khamenei risked 'a fate similar to Saddam Hussein' during a meeting with Israeli military and security service commanders, according to a statement from his office.
Mehul Choksi takes 'kidnapping' allegations against India to U.K. court
Mehul Choksi, the businessman wanted in India to face charges in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is suing the Indian government and five individuals in the High Court in London as conspirators for his alleged 'kidnap, torture and attempted rendition'. The Indian authorities have denied the allegations and objected to the U.K. jurisdiction based on 'state immunity' and also sought permission for expert evidence on Indian law and the Indian Constitution to be taken into account.
Israel-Iran conflict: Trump says he wants Iran to give up entirely on nuclear weapons
U.S. President Donald Trump said he wanted a 'real end' to the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran 'giving up entirely' on nuclear weapons, in comments he made to reporters on Air Force One on his way back from the Group of Seven summit in Canada.
Screening of films cannot be threatened with arson, violence: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) upheld the rights of filmmakers and theatre owners to release movies without threats of arson and violence while making it clear that the Karnataka government must protect Kamal Haasan's right to screen 'Thug Life' in the State. 'We cannot have mobs and vigilante groups take over our streets. We cannot allow this to happen. Rule of law must prevail,' Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, heading a Vacation Bench also comprising Justice Manmohan, addressed the Karnataka government side.
India believed to have 'slightly expanded' its nuclear arsenal in 2024: Global think-tank SIPRI report
Nearly all of the nine nuclear-armed states, including India and Pakistan, continued intensive nuclear modernisation programmes in 2024, upgrading existing weapons and adding newer versions, according to a report by a global think-tank. India is believed to have once again 'slightly expanded' its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a statement.
Israel-Iran conflict: Indian citizens using own vehicles advised to 'move outside Tehran'
Amidst reports of possible broadening of the Israel-Iran conflict, the Indian Embassy in Iran has urged 'all' Indian nationals and People of Indian Origin who are using 'own' vehicles to leave the city for a safer location outside. The Tuesday (June 17, 2025) morning public announcement is aimed at the large number of Indians and an unspecified number of People of Indian Origin resident in Tehran as U.S. President Donald Trump cut short his visit to the G7 summit in Canada and rushed back to Washington DC.
ICC ready for 4-day Tests in 2027-29 WTC cycle; India, Australia, England to still play 5-day matches
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is ready to sanction four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle but India, Australia and England can still play the traditional five-day matches, according a report here. The move to reduce matches by one day would be a significant change and can help smaller nations to play more Tests and longer series. 'During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC chair, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle,' a report in 'The Guardian' newspaper said.
Shubman Gill is mix of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as captain, says Jos Buttler
India's new Test captain Shubman Gill is a mix of his predecessors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but he will be 'very much his own man' in the middle when he leads the national side in the eagerly-awaited five-Test series against England starting on Friday (June 20, 2025), feels Jos Buttler. Buttler, the former England limited-overs captain who played under Gill in this year's IPL, said the 25-year-old will need to find a balance between his captaincy role and his own batting.
Rains lash Delhi-NCR; IMD issues safety advisory
Rains lashed several parts of Delhi-NCR on Tuesday (June 17, 2025). Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Delhi and surrounding areas, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by hail, moderate to heavy rainfall, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-70 kilometres per hour at isolated places.
Madras High Court judge pens poem for unity between Tenkalai and Vadakalai sects of Vaishnavites
Impressing upon the need for the Tenkalai and Vadakalai sects of Vaishnavites to end the differences between them since the 15th century, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court has penned a poem calling upon them to walk together in peace. The judge said, the sects should abide by the rule of law and celebrate temple festivals peacefully, which was the objective of any religion, instead of attempting to project their respective Acharyas — Manavala Mamuni and Vedanta Desikar — even above Lord Venkateswara.
Israel says it killed high-ranking Iranian General
Israel claimed Tuesday it killed another high-ranking Iranian general after decimating its military command. The Israeli military said it killed Gen Ali Shadmani, who had just been named as the head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
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'Iran Can Never Have Nuclear Weapon': G7 Leaders Sign Joint Statement Amid Middle East Conflict
Last Updated: Iran Nuclear Weapons: G7 leaders opined that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and called for de-escalation in the Middle East, including a Gaza ceasefire. G7 Summit 2025: The G7 leaders signed a joint statement Monday night saying Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon", as they urged a 'broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza". The G7 leaders also stressed Israel had the right to defend itself in the escalating Middle East crisis. 'We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself," the statement read. 'We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon," it added. 'We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza," the statement read. On his part, US President Donald Trump said Iran 'is not winning this war, and they should talk immediately before it's too late". Trump also warned that Tehran needs to curb its nuclear programme before it's 'too late." He said Iranian leaders would 'like to talk", but they had already had 60 days to reach an agreement on their nuclear ambitions and failed to do so before the Israeli aerial assault began. 'They have to make a deal," he said. Asked what it would take for the US to get involved in the conflict militarily, Trump said Monday morning, 'I don't want to talk about that.' The G7 originated as a 1973 finance ministers' meeting to address the oil crisis and evolved into a yearly summit meant to foster personal relationships among world leaders and address global problems. It briefly expanded to the G8 with Russia as a member, only for Russia to be expelled in 2014 after annexing Crimea and taking a foothold in Ukraine that preceded its aggressive 2022 invasion of that nation. First Published: June 17, 2025, 09:45 IST
The Hindu
38 minutes ago
- The Hindu
18 held in Canada in case of organised criminal network
Eighteen individuals, most of them believed to be of Indian origin, have been arrested and assets worth over 4.2 million Canadian dollars seized following the dismantling of an organised criminal network linked to the towing industry in Ontario province, according to Peel Regional Police. The arrests were made as part of Project Outsource, a Joint Forces Operation involving local and provincial law enforcement agencies. Project Outsource: shutting down extortions, violence and threats aimed at business owners in Peel. $4.2M worth of assets seized and 18 individuals arrested with 97 charges. 6 Firearms and over 500 rounds of ammunition taken off our streets. Our investigators' outstanding work… — Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) June 16, 2025 'More than $4.2 million in assets' were recovered from the possession of the 18 accused, the police said in a press release issued on Monday (June 16, 2025). While the release did not confirm the nationalities of those arrested, the names suggest that a majority may be of Indian descent. As of June 10, a total of 18 persons — including Haleh Javady Torabi, a 37-year-old woman from King City, and 17 men from Brampton — have been arrested and charged. The arrested men were identified as Inderjit Dhami (38), Paritosh Chopra (32), Gurbinder Singh (28), Kulwinder Puri (25), Parminder Puri (31), Inderjit Bal (29), Varun Aul (31), Ketan Chopra (30), Norman Tazehkand (32), Pawandeep Singh (25), Dipanshu Garg (24), Rahul Verma (27), Karan Boparai (26), Mankirat Boparai (22), Simar Boparai (21), Jovan Singh (23), and Abhinav Bhardwaj (25). A total of 97 criminal charges have been laid against the accused, including offences related to criminal organisation, extortion, fraud, and firearms, police said. 'Three individuals were charged and released to attend court at a later date, while 15 were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Of the 18, almost half were on a form of judicial release at the time of arrest,' the release stated. Project Outsource was launched in July 2024 to investigate a criminal organisation believed to be behind a series of extortion incidents and violent acts. Investigators later found the network had two operational arms: one focused on extortion and violence, and the other embedded in the towing industry. Project Outsource has delivered a significant blow to a well-organized criminal network that has been spreading fear and violence in our communities. These individuals and their actions have no place here, and they will be held fully accountable. I want to thank our Joint… — Chief Nishan Duraiappah (@ChiefNish) June 16, 2025 Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah observed that 'nearly half of those arrested were already on some form of judicial release at the time — once again raising serious concerns about repeat offenders and the urgent need for bail reform.' Several suspects were linked to towing companies operating under the names Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside. Police uncovered evidence of insurance fraud involving staged vehicle collisions, as well as the use of threats, assaults, and firearms to dominate local towing operations. 'The success of Project Outsource sends a clear message: criminal organisations that use violence, fear, and fraud to prey on our communities will be identified, investigated, and dismantled,' Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario, said. The operation involved Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Halton Regional Police, York Regional Police, and Toronto Police Service. 'In recent years, Peel Region has experienced a sharp rise in violent extortion attempts targeting South Asian business owners, including demands for large sums of money, threats for non-payment, and acts of violence, including drive-by shootings. In response to these incidents, Peel Regional Police established the Extortion Investigation Task Force in December 2023,' the release added. York Regional Police Superintendent Sony Dosanjh said joint force operations such as Project Outsource underscore the value of inter-agency cooperation in dismantling organised crime and rebuilding community safety and trust.
The Hindu
38 minutes ago
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Trump's tariffs will offer India certain advantages, says Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran
The reciprocal tariffs unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 2 could offer India certain tariff advantages compared to other countries, V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, has said. Dr. Nageswaran was speaking on 'Global economic trends: India's challenges and prospects' at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday. He said a 90-day 'pause' is on till July 9 with respect to the tariffs, but whatever was announced on April 2 gives India certain advantages, especially in labour-intensive manufacturing areas such as textiles, leather products and chemicals. 'One of the mistakes we all make is looking at the tariffs from only the Indian point of view; 'Oh, now we have a higher tariff!'. But what matters is not just your tariff, it also matters what others face. If your competition is going to face higher tariffs you are at an advantage. And that is what is happening to India in a few areas,' he said. On energy transition, Dr. Nageswaran urged caution against the unbridled injection of solar and wind energy, which are characterised by intermittency, into the grid. Pointing out that coal will continue to remain critical, he advocated their slower penetration into the grid. While renewables will continue to increase driven by India's commitment to clean energy, it will be done in proportion, he said. 'The world has no precedent of so much solar and wind energy coming into the grids. The grids are not ready for the intermittency. If we need backups for everything, what is the point? It's double the investment cost. That is the challenge.' It is in this context that the Union Budget announcement with respect to small modular reactors and the decision to open the nuclear energy sector to the private sector assumes significance, he said. In global manufacturing, India should aim to make itself indispensable as China has done over the past 30 years, Dr. Nageswaran said. This assumes significance given the growing uncertainty factor in the global economic scenario which prompts countries to increasingly look inward, and India's high dependence on China for components in vital sectors. 'The vulnerability of dependence on one source for many products will turn much sharper in the coming years. We have to think of what are the other sources we can rely on as an alternative to China,' he said. Given its size, India can develop as a more reliable and trusted alternative source to China, he said. 'Vietnam, Mexico, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia lack the size to even take a shot at matching what China has done in the last thirty years. That is our opportunity,' he said. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Rajendra Vishawanath Arlekar said that, henceforth, Raj Bhavan will not only be for the Governor who resides there. Rather, Raj Bhavan will be a 'Lok Bhavan,' as it is the people's asset, he said. 'Earlier the concept was that Raj Bhavan has to be a secluded place, away from the people and society. The gates of Raj Bhavan were never opened for all of us,' he said.
