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FirstUp: Air India to cut wide-body international flights, Iran foreign minister in Geneva... Top news today

Air India will reduce its international services on wide-body aircraft by 15 per cent starting today and will continue until at least mid-July amid concerns over safety and operational challenges after the Ahmedabad plane crash. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet his European counterparts in Geneva today as the conflict with Israel escalates read more Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting today, a move that will remain in effect until at least mid-July. File image/ PTI Friday, June 20, is going to be a busy end to the week, with several important events lined up for the day. First, Air India will reduce its international services on wide-body aircraft by 15 per cent starting today and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July. The decision comes just days after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Geneva to meet his European counterparts in Geneva. The United Nations' Security Council (UNSC) will also hold their emergency session on the West Asian conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Narendra Modi will also visit Odisha and participate in a state-level event scheduled at Janata Maidan. Here is all that is set to take place today. Air India to cut wide-body international flights Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting today, a move that will remain in effect until at least mid-July. The airline, which typically operates around 70 international flights daily using its twin-aisle fleet, is scaling back amid a series of operational challenges. Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting June 20. File image A combination of factors has led to this decision. Airspace closures across several countries have increased flight durations to and from Western destinations. Additionally, following last Thursday's crash of flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, enhanced inspections of Boeing 787 aircraft have further limited the availability of wide-body planes. In recent days, a number of Air India flights have experienced delays and cancellations, prompting growing concerns among passengers. Iran's Foreign Minister to meet European counterparts in Geneva Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with his European counterparts in Geneva today, as an Israeli airstrike campaign continues to target his country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with top European diplomats in Geneva today. File Image/Reuters According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Araghchi will hold talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Araghchi noted that the meeting is taking place at the request of the European foreign ministers. As per a Times of Israel report citing a German source, the aim of the talks between Iran and the Europeans, taking place in coordination with the United States, is to persuade the Iranian side to firmly guarantee that it will use its nuclear program solely for civilian purposes. The talks are said to be followed by a structured dialogue at the expert level. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UNSC to hold emergency session on Israel-Iran conflict The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday to address the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. This marks the second session requested by Iran in recent days, with support from Russia, China, and Pakistan, following Israel's recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. As part of its request, Iran has asked for briefings from the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, as well as the UN political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, to once again address the council. PM Modi to visit Odisha Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on Friday to mark the one-year anniversary of the BJP-led government in the state. After arriving at Biju Patnaik International Airport, the prime minister will lead a roadshow and participate in a 'Tiranga Yatra' on his way to Janata Maidan, where the main anniversary event will be held. PM Modi will travel to Mumbai and is scheduled to inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (Waves). PTI/File Photo Modi is expected to address a public gathering during the celebration, where he will highlight the government's achievements and outline future plans for the state. As part of the event, the Odisha government will also unveil its 'Vision Document for 2036,' laying out long-term development goals and priorities. In anticipation of large crowds and to ensure smooth arrangements, the state government has declared a school holiday in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India-England test series The much-awaited Test series between India and England is all set to kick off a fresh cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (2025–27), bringing two red-ball powerhouses head-to-head once again. The first of the five-Test series begins on Friday, June 20, at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, promising a thrilling contest between two sides. India Squad Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav England Squad Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes With input from agencies