News Menu, June 20: PM to visit Bihar, Odisha; Israel-Iran conflict intensifies
Good morning. On June 20, 1877, Hugh Cossart Baker Jr. launched the first commercial telephone exchange in Hamilton, Ontario, revolutionising global communication with the introduction of the telephone. Inspired by Alexander Graham Bell's invention earlier that year, Baker began by leasing four telephones to friends for chess games, paving the way for the service's expansion. As conflicts and connectivity shape our world, India Today hopes Iran and Israel will dial down the hostility. With this wish, we serve a news menu blending global tensions, domestic resilience, and cultural milestones.Geopolitical Raita: Iran-Israel War Enters Eighth DayIsrael's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared 'eliminating' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a war goal after Iranian missile strikes hit four sites, including Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, causing extensive damage and injuring over 240 people, four seriously. Israel retaliated by targeting Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, escalating its campaign against Iran's nuclear infrastructure.US President Donald Trump, weighing military intervention, said he's holding off on strikes 'for now' but knows Khamenei's location, calling him an 'easy target.' Khamenei warned US intervention would bring 'irreparable consequences.'The UN Security Council, backed by Russia and China, will meet Friday to address the crisis. EU foreign ministers also plan a video conference to explore de-escalation.Quick Take: Targeting civilian infrastructure like hospitals marks a grim escalation, with both sides leveraging psychological warfare. The UN and EU's diplomatic efforts face hurdles due to limited influence over Israel and Iran. The risk of a broader Middle East conflict looms large.Indian Workers in Israel: Families in FearUntil recently, youths from Uttar Pradesh were sent to Israel for work. With the Iran-Israel conflict intensifying, questions arise about whether this program has been halted and the status of those already there. Families are anxious, with some urging the government to evacuate their kin.Operation Sindhu continues, with 600 Indian students, including 500 from Kashmir, safely reaching Mashhad. A second group is expected in Delhi on Friday. Plan: Pranay/Geeta in Delhi and Mir Farid in Srinagar to track and file stories on Kashmiri students' evacuation.Tea In Naxals Zones: Amit Shah's Chhattisgarh VisitUnion Home Minister Amit Shah visits Naxal-hit Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh, a symbolic Maoist stronghold, following the elimination of top Naxal leaders. The visit underscores the Centre's push for a Naxal-free zone.Monsoon Mess: BMC's Road Repair FiascoMumbai's BMC faces scrutiny as shoddy road repairs near Dahisar toll naka collapsed after the first rains, exposing potholes and a suspected nexus in repair contracts. Heavy rainfall disrupted trains and traffic across the city, with red alerts issued for Raigad, Pune, and Ratnagiri. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Pune, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in Western Maharashtra and North Konkan. Khadakwasla Dam authorities will release 1,920 cusecs of water into the Mutha River due to rising levels.Sweet Dish: Artificial Rain PilotThe IMD has cleared a cloud-seeding pilot project in Delhi to combat air pollution, involving five aircraft sorties in northwest and outer Delhi.PM's Packed Menu: Bihar, Odisha, and BeyondPrime Minister Narendra Modi visits Bihar and Odisha on June 20. In Siwan, Bihar, at 12 noon, he will lay foundation stones and inaugurate development projects, addressing a rally. In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at 3:45 pm, he will hold a roadshow, followed by a 4:15 pm event marking one year of the BJP government, launching projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore. On June 21, Modi will attend an International Yoga Day event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.Southern Masala: Andhra Pradesh RowAndhra Pradesh: Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's use of a Pushpa 2 dialogue to back YSRCP cadre incites controversy. AP Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav slams Jagan's 'Rappa Rappa' remark as reflective of a violent mindset.Tamil Nadu: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran sends a legal notice to brother Kalanidhi over Sun TV share disputes, alleging illegal allotments worth Rs 8,500 crore without shareholder consent.Parting BiteOn June 20, 1947, Bengal's partition was sealed, shaping modern India's borders. Bengal BJP plans a grand Paschim Banga Diwas on June 20, marking the event. The TMC opposes the Modi government's decision, preferring Poila Baisakh as West Bengal Day. The fight over history continues.
advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘You can worry about this later': Trump rejects Putin's offer to broker Israel-Iran ceasefire, asks him to mediate his own first
Amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, US President Donald Trump said he rejected his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin's offer to mediate a ceasefire between the two longstanding foes in the Middle East, telling him to focus on brokering his own peace deal with Ukraine first. 'I spoke to Putin yesterday and he actually offered to help mediate,' Trump told reporters on Wednesday (June 18). 'I said, 'Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let's mediate Russia first.' I said, 'Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later,' he added. Trump's remarks come after Putin, during his meeting with senior news leaders of international news agencies in St. Petersburg, said that Russia had shared proposals with Israel, Iran and the United States to de-escalate the situation in the West Asia region. 'We are not imposing anything on anyone; we are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation,' he said. 'But the decision, of course, is up to the political leadership of all these countries, primarily Iran and Israel.' He then affirmed that even though the situation is complex, a solution to the conflict is possible 'It's a delicate issue,' the Russian president said. 'In my view, a solution could be found.' Trump and Putin held a telephonic conversation on Saturday where the two leaders discussed the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and also spoke about Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social handle, said that he and his Russian counterpart spoke about Israel's ballistic attacks on Tehran and Iran's retaliatory missile salvos, while also highlighting that he pressed the Russian president to end the war in Ukraine. 'President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well,' Trump wrote. 'We talked at length. Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week. He is doing the planned prisoner swaps — large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides,' he said. 'The call lasted approximately 1 hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end.'
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Broken all records of deception': Tejashwi targets PM Modi ahead of Bihar visit; dares him to revisit his own past speeches
File photo: Former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and PM Modi (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's scheduled visit to Bihar's Siwan, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state. In an open letter posted on the social media platform X, the former Bihar deputy Chief Minister accused the Prime Minister of repeatedly misleading the people of Bihar through what he called over 200 "jumla-filled" election rallies. Tejashwi claimed PM Modi 'has broken all records of deception' and dared him to revisit his own past speeches. 'You will not be able to speak due to embarrassment,' he wrote, urging the Prime Minister to introspect before addressing the public in Siwan on Friday. The RJD leader raised 12-pointed questions, demanding accountability for the state's poor rankings on key development indices. He asked the Prime Minister why Bihar remains at the bottom in terms of per capita income, literacy, industrialisation, employment and investment, despite over a decade of NDA rule at the Centre and two decades of governance by the so-called "double engine" in Bihar. Yadav further asked whether PM Modi would merely re-announce infrastructure schemes that have been 'inaugurated or launched multiple times since 2015'. He said, 'Will you again indulge in showy foundation-laying ceremonies of projects already underway?' Tejashwi also challenged PM Modi to address issues like rampant corruption, alleging that over ₹2 lakh crore has been looted through more than 20 scams in 20 years of NDA rule. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ambato: Ecuatorianos: generen un segundo ingreso con Amazon CFD. InvestIQ Registrarse Undo 'Earlier, you yourself listed 20 scams under Nitish Kumar. Will you now shy away from acknowledging them?' he asked. He accused the state administration of coercing government employees, including ASHA and anganwadi workers, to attend the PM's rally in Siwan at their own expense. 'Why are poor workers being financially and mentally harassed for your show of strength?' Yadav wrote. In a provocative query, the RJD leader asked whether PM Modi would explain why Indian soldiers were reportedly restrained during Operation Sindoor due to an alleged ceasefire announcement made by US President Donald Trump. 'Who is Trump to announce a ceasefire for India? Is he your dear friend?' he asked. Tejashwi also questioned if the PM would refer to the 'unconscious state' of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as he once did with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and whether PM Modi would address allegations of political favouritism in alliance nominations. He cited violence and law-and-order issues, asking whether the PM would condemn recent shootings near the CM's residence and Raj Bhavan. He wrote, 'Will you muster the courage to speak on the failures of your own government or will you once again blame the opposition?' Meanwhile, PM Modi is on a two-day visit beginning Friday, with stops in Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. In Siwan, he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several development projects. This includes boosting railway connectivity and other infrastructure as part of efforts to drive socio-economic growth in the region. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will reach Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where he is scheduled to unveil projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore and launch initiatives like the Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana, as well as flag off 100 electric buses under CRUT to strengthen green urban mobility.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israeli defence minister warns Hezbollah against joining conflict with Iran
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon's Hezbollah to exercise caution on Friday, saying Israel's patience with "terrorists" who threaten it had worn thin. The head of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, said on Thursday that the Lebanese group would act as it saw fit in the face of what he called "brutal Israeli-American aggression" against Iran . In other statements, the group has made no explicit pledge to join the fighting and a Hezbollah official told Reuters last week that the group did not intend to initiate attacks against Israel.
