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India TV
Jun 18, 2026, 03:17 PM
NDA Strengthens Grip on Rajya Sabha After Winning 27 Seats

NDA Strengthens Grip on Rajya Sabha After Winning 27 Seats

After the election of 27 Rajya Sabha seats, the Upper House arithmetic seems to be largely in favour of the BJP-led NDA alliance. The NDA's tally has reached 153 after the victory of independent candidate Parimal Nathwani in the Rajya Sabha elections of Jharkhand. While in West Bengal, 4 more seats have been vacated after the resignation of 4 TMC Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chick Barike and Koel Mallick.
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DNA Hindi
Jun 18, 2026, 02:28 PM
Parimal Nathwani Wins Fourth Term as Rajya Sabha Member from Jharkhand

Parimal Nathwani Wins Fourth Term as Rajya Sabha Member from Jharkhand

NDA supported independent candidate Parimal Nathwani has won a major victory in the elections held for the Rajya Sabha in Jharkhand. The results of the elections held for two seats have come out. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baijnath Ram and independent Parimal Nathwani have got success in these elections while Congress candidate Pranav Jha has lost the elections. Parimal Nathwani himself told about his victory on X. He wrote, I am very grateful to have got the opportunity to serve for the fourth term as a Rajya Sabha member. This moment is very emotional for me because this will be my third term from Jharkhand. This is the land from where my parliamentary journey began in 2008. It is a matter of great pride and humility for me to return to my work place once again. Parimal Nathwani expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President Nitin Navin and the BJP-led NDA. He said that with new determination and sincerity, the Rajya Sabha member will continue to serve the interests of the people and the Rajya Sabha as a fourth term with every possible opportunity.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 02:25 PM
Trump Takes Softened Stance on Iran, Supports Ballistic Missile Possession and Asset Return

Trump Takes Softened Stance on Iran, Supports Ballistic Missile Possession and Asset Return

US President Donald Trump, who has taken a hard line against Iran over the past few months, now appears to be taking a relatively soft and balanced stance towards Tehran. After signing a preliminary deal with Iran in France, Trump said that Iran also has the right to possess ballistic missiles in accordance with its security needs. He said that it would not be appropriate to deny this right entirely to any one country. Trump also indicated that the US military presence in the Persian Gulf could remain until a final agreement is reached with Iran. According to ANI, Trump also took a moderate stance on the issue of Iran's frozen assets abroad. He said that the money belongs to Iran and should be returned as the diplomatic process progresses. According to Trump, holding on to a country's assets for a longer period of time is not good for the international financial system and the credibility of the US dollar. He said that it may seem politically attractive to freeze a country's assets, but maintaining the trust of global investors and a fairer dollar would be more important if the world follows the rules of the deal.
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The Financial Express logo
The Financial Express
Jun 18, 2026, 01:56 PM
US Restricts Access to Cutting-Edge AI Models, Impacting Foreign Talent

US Restricts Access to Cutting-Edge AI Models, Impacting Foreign Talent

Is AI going to be a key aspect in shaping geopolitics? The answer seems affirmative. Over the past weekend, the US government directed Anthropic to restrict foreign nationals from accessing its latest and cutting-edge AI models – Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5. While the reasons behind the restrictions were credited to ‘national security concerns’ that could harm the US population, the industry saw the ‘export control’ directive as the US flexing its powers to retain the advantages of its locally created AI model for domestic applications. Think about the ‘export control’ narrative for a second – AI is now considered to be of the same strategic status as nuclear, aerospace, and defence technologies. This means that anybody working on an AI project now needs a security clearance from the government to carry on with their work. Does this mean that most of Anthropic’s foreign talent can’t access the very project they have been working on for years? Will an Anthropic employee’s corporate title be overridden by their citizenship? While Anthropic hasn’t commented on internal access to its frontier models to foreign national employees, we decided to take a look at some of the top foreign talents working at Anthropic, who could possibly find themselves restricted from accessing the Claude Mythos 5 and Fable 5 projects. While going through Anthropic’s top-spec management, we found two prominent C-suite leaders of Indian origin finding themselves facing the nation-based restriction rule. Considered to be an infrastructure veteran, Patil is a product of Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem. Before stepping into Anthropic, he served as the CTO of Stripe and held crucial cloud infrastructure leadership roles at Microsoft , AWS, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. As Chief Technology Officer, Patil oversees the entire engineering organisation. His domain covers product deployment, compute allocation, infrastructure, inference, data science, and security. Patil actively looks after scaling Anthropic’s systems to handle explosive global enterprise demand. However, under the new US directive, his Indian passport could deter his access to the company’s most advanced frontier models. As the CFO, Krishna Rao commands the financial wheel of the company, managing Anthropic’s high-stakes, multi-billion-dollar fundraising rounds and driving its global corporate expansion. Armed with an elite pedigree spanning Harvard Economics and a JD from Yale Law School, Rao’s corporate history includes management consulting at Bain & Company, private equity investing at Blackstone, and a senior operational role at Airbnb, where he helped steer their massive $3.7 billion IPO. Hence, at a time when Anthropic needs Rao’s leadership to prepare the company for its public filing while securing funds to get Mythos 5 and Fable 5 all the compute power, the US Government’s restriction might hamper the momentum the company is riding right now. Unfortunately for Anthropic, the passport crackdown isn’t just isolated to Indian nationals. Anthroic’s diverse employee composition has been affected by the export control directives, with some of its star leaders limited by national borders. : Member of Technical Staff : Canada/Slovakia A legendary figure in AI, Karpathy was a founding member of OpenAI and the former Director of AI at Tesla. Holding an EB-1 visa status, the deep learning pioneer could be barred from accessing the very frontier models he helped to create. : Alignment Science Co-lead : Germany Previously the leader of OpenAI’s Superalignment team, Leike is one of the world’s foremost researchers on AI safety. His mission is to keep superintelligence safe and hence, oversees safety and alignment protocols. The US restriction will now affect his role within the organisation. : Co-founder & Head of Policy : United Kingdom Jack Clark is a former Bloomberg tech journalist and OpenAI policy lead – another personality who is restricted from accessing the frontier models. Clark is one of the most influential global voices on AI regulation. : Co-founder & Lead Interpretability Research : Canada Chris Olah is an alumnus of Google Brain who pioneered the fundamental neural network visualisation techniques used to understand how AI thinks. He, too, might be restricted from accessing the frontier AI model technologies. : Chief Product Officer : Brazil Famously known as the co-founder of Instagram, Mike Krieger joined Anthropic to bridge raw research into commercial products. His Brazilian passport could now deter him from serving his role. : Co-founder & Chief Architect : United Kingdom Renowned for his seminal research on AI scaling laws and efficient LLM training methodology, Sam McCandlish suffers the same fate as his foreign coworkers. : Cofounder & Core Infrastructure Lead : United Kingdom Mann is a former OpenAI engineer specialising in building the massive distributed systems required for frontier AI. His British passport could see him unable to access the Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 01:53 PM
Uttar Pradesh Political Temperature Rises Amid Claims of Samajwadi Party Break-Up

Uttar Pradesh Political Temperature Rises Amid Claims of Samajwadi Party Break-Up

In Uttar Pradesh, political kurukshetra is abuzz with new narratives. The BJP-led NDA alliance has raised the political temperature by claiming a break-up in the Samajwadi Party. After the statements of Subhaspa president Omprakash Rajbhar and deputy chief minister Keshav Maurya, now Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad has also made a new pitch by claiming a rebellion in the SP. Significantly, the statements that have unsettled the SP have come from three big OBC leaders of Purvanchal, where the SP was strong in the last Lok Sabha elections. In the past few days, many political parties across the country have witnessed a rebellion. When the Aam Aadmi Party split, the long-ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal split into several factions. Several MPs of the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Thackeray faction in Maharashtra are moving towards joining hands with the Shinde faction, causing a stir in the politics there. Meanwhile, a cyclone of discussions has also started in UP when minister Omprakash Rajbhar in the Yogi Adityanath government has claimed that more than a dozen SP MPs have broken away from the SP.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 01:42 PM
NDA-Backed Candidate Parimal Nathwani Wins Rajya Sabha Election in Jharkhand

NDA-Backed Candidate Parimal Nathwani Wins Rajya Sabha Election in Jharkhand

NDA-backed candidate Parimal Nathwani has won the Rajya Sabha election in Jharkhand. Parimal Nathwani's victory is being considered a setback for Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the INDIA block. There have been reports of cross-voting by MLAs of the INDIA block in this election. Parimal Nathwani has received 30 votes, while Pranav Jha of the Congress has received 20 votes. The real contest in Jharkhand was between Parimal Nathwani and Pranav Jha of the Congress. Vaidyanath Ram of the JMM has won this election. Although Vaidyanath Ram's victory was considered certain. An official said that amid cross-voting, NDA-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani won one of the two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand on Thursday and defeated Pranav Jha of the Congress. Parimal Nathwani's cross-voting in Jharkhand has led to his victory. Four opposition MLAs have cross-voted in his favour. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate in the second seat, Baidyanath Ram Jha, was declared the winner after receiving 28 votes.
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India TV
Jun 18, 2026, 01:37 PM
Samajwadi Party Break-Up Speculations Spark Debate in Indian Politics

Samajwadi Party Break-Up Speculations Spark Debate in Indian Politics

Speculations are rife in Uttar Pradesh politics these days about a possible break-up in the Samajwadi Party. Minister in the Yogi Adityanath government Om Prakash Rajbhar and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's frequent statements have sparked a fresh debate in political circles. Both leaders claim that many Samajwadi Party MPs and leaders may leave the party. However, given the current political situation and parliamentary arithmetic, the possibility of a major break-up in the SP seems remote at the moment. In fact, such claims are also being made about the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh amid talks of discontent and break-ups within Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. But political experts believe that the SP's position is quite different from these parties. Minister in the Yogi Adityanath government Om Prakash Rajbhar on Wednesday claimed that a major break-up is soon to take place in the Samajwadi Party. He also said that SP national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah informing him that all the MPs who have joined the party will be rebelling in the SP.
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 01:31 PM
Congress Loses Two Rajya Sabha Seats in Jharkhand Election

Congress Loses Two Rajya Sabha Seats in Jharkhand Election

Polling and counting for 2 Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand were held on Thursday, 18 June. In this election, Indian National Congress candidate Pranav Jha lost the election. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Baidyanath Ram won. The most shocking victory was of Parimal Nathwani. The Bharatiya Janata Party did not field its candidate but supported Nathwani. The NDA was 4 votes short of winning, although Nathwani got the necessary 28 votes for victory. Now questions are being raised whether the countdown of the India Alliance government has started in Jharkhand as well. In this context, Prabhat Khabar's senior bureau chief Anand Mohan said in a conversation with ABP Live that Parimal Nathwani's victory is definitely a setback for the Indian National Congress. Pranav Jha was an advisor to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. This means that he was a candidate of the Congress high command. Despite having the right numbers to win, his defeat undoubtedly indicates towards the stability of the government in the coming days.
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 01:24 PM
NDA Makes Gains in Jharkhand's Rajya Sabha Elections

NDA Makes Gains in Jharkhand's Rajya Sabha Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has also made a dent in the INDIA Alliance's stronghold in Jharkhand. Parimal Nathwani, an independent candidate, has won in the Rajya Sabha election results of two seats. He was supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Baidyanath Ram, a candidate of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a constituent of the Grand Alliance, has also won. In this election, the Congress had fielded Pranav Jha. Nathwani got 28 votes in the Rajya Sabha election. Congress candidate Pranav Jha got 19 and JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram got 31. Also, 3 votes were found invalid. Political analysts believe that this result of the Rajya Sabha election can also have an impact on the stability of the Jharkhand government. After Parimal Nathwani's victory, he was congratulated by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. Godda MP Nishikant Dubey wrote that Parimal Nathwani, the NDA candidate, has won in the Rajya Sabha election from Jharkhand. He got 28 votes, Congress candidate, only 20, and Sita Soren, the NDA candidate from Jharkhand, has also won in the Rajya Sabha election.
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India TV logo
India TV
Jun 18, 2026, 01:20 PM
Congress Wins 5 Seats, BJP Takes 2 in Karnataka Legislative Council Elections

Congress Wins 5 Seats, BJP Takes 2 in Karnataka Legislative Council Elections

The results of the elections held today (Friday) for 7 seats of the Legislative Council in Karnataka have come out. The results of the election results have come out. 5 candidates of the Congress and 2 candidates of the BJP have been declared victorious. The JDS has also fielded its candidate in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, but they could not win. In the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, Congress's BK Hariprasad, Thippannappa Kamaknur, PV Mohan, Shivanna BS (Malavalli) and Vinay Karthik were victorious. Lingaraj Patil and Raghu R. of the BJP also won the elections. However, JD (S )'s Govindaraju lost. To prevent cross-voting and any mistake in the assembly elections. The Congress had also conducted mock polling with its MLAs. The Congress had accommodated all its 135 MLAs in a resort. Just a day before the voting in the resort itself, on Thursday, mock voting was done with them and the election process of the Legislative Council was explained. Shivakumar also participated in the mock voting for the first time.
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Kalinga TV
Jun 18, 2026, 01:08 PM
BRICS Anniversary Week Commences in Moscow: Reflecting on Two Decades of Cooperation

BRICS Anniversary Week Commences in Moscow: Reflecting on Two Decades of Cooperation

Moscow: BRICS Anniversary Week commenced in Moscow on June 15, bringing together diplomats, academics, business leaders, and media professionals. The event serves to reflect on the bloc’s two-decade journey and explore future avenues of cooperation. The week-long programme is being hosted at the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre. It is organised by the TV BRICS International Media Network in partnership with the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature. The event features a series of cultural, educational, and diplomatic engagements. These engagements are aimed at assessing BRICS’ achievements in the economic, humanitarian, and development spheres. The programme opened with discussions on literature and publishing in BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries. A key highlight of the week is the panel session titled “BRICS – 20 Years: Results, Achievements and Prospects for Cooperation”. This session brings together representatives from government institutions. It also includes academia, business communities, and civil society from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Discussions are expected to focus on BRICS’ role in shaping the contemporary international order. In addition, they will address strengthening economic and educational ties. The session will also cover promoting technological innovation. In the same way, the panel will discuss enhancing cooperation with countries of the Global South, as reported by TV BRICS. Janna Tolstikova, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of TV BRICS, said the BRICS+ Media Centre continues to serve as a platform for constructive dialogue. It is also a space for expert engagement. She noted that insights generated during the anniversary events would contribute to media coverage and analytical assessments of BRICS’ future prospects. Furthermore, she emphasized its contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking ahead of the event, Sameep Shastri, Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (India), highlighted the evolution of BRICS from a dialogue platform into an institution capable of delivering practical outcomes. He cited the New Development Bank as a major example. The anniversary programme also includes a media cooperation session, a diplomatic reception, academic lectures, and cultural activities. In particular, it features a masterclass on traditional Indian Madhubani painting. This underscores BRICS’ growing emphasis on people-to-people exchanges and cultural collaboration. (ANI) Also Read: China condemned over prison conditions as jailed journalist Dong Yuyu suffers health crisis
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 01:08 PM
Delimitation Bill Debate Intensifies as NDA Prepares to Reintroduce Changes

Delimitation Bill Debate Intensifies as NDA Prepares to Reintroduce Changes

The political debate over the central government's proposed delimitation bill has once again intensified. Amid the fractured and changing political equations within the opposition parties in different states, there is a talk that the NDA is preparing to pass the delimitation bill by increasing its strength in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, a statement by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has intensified this debate. N. Chandrababu Naidu has indicated that the BJP government may reintroduce the delimitation bill in parliament with new changes. He also said that the new proposal will try to maintain a balance between the southern and northern states. In an interview to the Economic Times, Naidu said that the NDA government can bring the delimitation bill again in parliament along with the women's reservation law. According to him, the government's intention was clear from the beginning that the number of seats in all states should be increased to 50 percent. But some things were not clearly written in the draft of the bill, which the opposition made a big issue.
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The Financial Express
Jun 18, 2026, 01:05 PM
US and Iran Sign Interim Agreement to End War in Lebanon, But Israel Refuses to Comply

US and Iran Sign Interim Agreement to End War in Lebanon, But Israel Refuses to Comply

The leaders of the United States and Iran have signed an interim agreement to end nearly four months of war that left several thousand people dead across all factions and cost billions. The 14-point memorandum of understanding calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock. But the inclusion of Lebanon within its terms has sparked outrage in Israel and a vehement refusal to comply. “The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war are signing this MOU to declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph ,” read the first of 14 points in the MoU released by US officials. Israel has largely distanced itself from the agreement — with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly insisting that Israeli troops will remain inside Lebanese territories “for as long as necessary”. Fighting also continued for much of Wednesday despite repeated assurances from Trump and other leaders that the US-Iran deal (inclusive of the Lebanon clause) had taken effect. Hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have killed thousands of people in the country and displaced more than a million more. President Donald Trump gently rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a media interaction on Wednesday. The two men have clashed repeatedly over Israel’s refusal to constrain its pursuit of Hezbollah in Lebanon — despite mounting global pressure and even furious, expletive-filled phone calls from Trump. Iran has also warned repeatedly that the war would not ‘end’ fully unless Israel withdrew from the territories it had occupied recently. “Netanyahu ‌happens to be a good man, gets ⁠a little excited sometimes. We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi…You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah,” the US President told reporters on Wednesday. Leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Japan, Italy, Canada also exerted pressure on the US as they met for the G7 Summit on Wednesday. The bloc has issued a joint statement demanding an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon. Supporters of the Israeli Prime Minister have described the deal as a “strategic and political disaster” while critics grow louder ahead of elections in the country. Surveys conducted amidst the war had predicted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose, and several right-wing allies have distanced themselves from his party in recent months. The ceasefire deal threatens to worsen the situation for Netanyahu as many argue that Israel has failed to achieve its stated war objectives. The Israeli leader has so far avoided a public confrontation with Trump, and criticism has largely come from supportive media outlets and political allies. A prime-time host on Channel 14 levelled expletives at US Vice President JD Vance earlier this week, while others trained their guns on Middle East envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. They insinuated that key Trump allies had sold out Israel for financial incentives. Israeli media also accused Trump of “stabbing Netanyahu in the back” and surrendering to Tehran just as the pressure was peaking. “Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States. We are an independent and sovereign country. We are not partners to this agreement, which does not safeguard our security. We must not withdraw from any territory [in Lebanon] that our fighters have captured,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement earlier this week. As Netanyahu maintains stony silence about his souring relationship with Washington, Trump has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Israeli prime minister. In a recent interview with Axios, the US President said he was “so pissed off” with the situation and told Netanyahu that he had “no f*****g judgment” for launching fresh strikes on the “special day” when his peace treaty was to be announced. “Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon…too many people are being killed,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. This came days after Trump told reporters that he had indeed called Netanyahu “effing crazy” on a phone call and was “perturbed at his constant fighting with Lebanon”. “What the f*** are you doing? You’re f*****g crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this” Trump had reportedly shouted at Netanyahu in early June, according to an Axios report. Despite the recent turbulence, Trump has insisted that Israel is “very happy” with the deal. “Look, think of what Israel is getting. They’re not going to be nuked. It’s very simple. I told Bibi: Bibi, your biggest risk was that they’d drop a nuclear weapon into the middle of Israel. They’d only need one, and there would be no more Israel. Think of it, Bibi. You got the best, the most important thing that you were asking for is that,” the US President told reporters on Wednesday. ‘Think of it, Bibi, you got the best, the most important thing that you were asking for’ — Trump ‘So, I think they’re happy’ pic.twitter.com/iSrwqzB2zg
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 01:01 PM
Indian Government Approves 8.25% Interest Rate on EPF Deposits for FY 2025-26

Indian Government Approves 8.25% Interest Rate on EPF Deposits for FY 2025-26

After a long wait, now the government has approved to credit the interest of PF. Soon the interest will be given on PF money in your account. According to the report of PTI, from this month the interest money will be credited in the EPF account. The government has approved the interest rate on Employees'Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2025-26. This approval comes after the Ministry of Finance gave its consent to the interest rate recommended by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the highest decision-making body of the Employees'Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). According to PTI, the Ministry of Labour is expected to instruct the EPFO to credit the interest in the accounts of subscribers this month itself. The interest rate was originally approved in the CBT meeting held on March 2, 2026 under the chairmanship of Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. With this decision, the interest rate of EPF for the third consecutive year 8.25% has been retained.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 12:59 PM
India's Haj Pilgrimage Declared Most Successful in History

India's Haj Pilgrimage Declared Most Successful in History

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that this year's Haj has turned out to be the most successful Haj in history. A large number of pilgrims have expressed their gratitude to the government by appreciating the arrangements. Rijiju held a review meeting on preparations for Haj 2027 and announced that the government is going to introduce a new Haj policy soon. He said in the press conference, "This year's Haj has been the best in the history of India. Thousands of pilgrims have written letters thanking the government. India has also received two awards due to excellent management." The minister informed that the responses received from about 1.75 lakh pilgrims were overwhelmingly positive. Every work was completed on time. This was the first time a'Short Duration Haj'was started, with a special quota of 10,000 slots. The traditional Haj takes 40-45 days, but keeping in mind the convenience of working professionals and elderly pilgrims, its duration was reduced by Saudi ID1 > days. Revanth Reddy's personal comments on the management of the pilgrimage provoked outrage.
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 12:44 PM
UP Minister Predicts Samajwadi Party Split, Many MPs May Join BJP

UP Minister Predicts Samajwadi Party Split, Many MPs May Join BJP

In UP, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (Subhaspa) national president and Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar came down heavily on the Samajwadi Party and its national president Akhilesh Yadav during a public hearing held at Nireekshan Bhawan in Atraulia on Thursday (June 18). He claimed that like the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT), a big break is set in the Samajwadi Party and many MPs will be seen standing with the BJP in the coming days. Rajbhar said that there is disquiet in the top leadership of the Samajwadi Party after the alleged letter written by Ramgopal Yadav to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that the fear of investigation by central agencies in cases like mining scam and Gomti River Front is troubling the SP leaders. He also said that the statement made by BJP leader Keshav Prasad Maurya that many SP MPs are in touch with the BJP should not be taken lightly. Taking a jibe at the Brahmin conference held by the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow, Rajbhar said, "Now, most of the Brahmin community, Ahir Brahmin scholars and Ram temple construction workers will be humiliated."
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 12:43 PM
Indian Government Challenges Telegram in Court, Claims App Facilitates Terrorist Activities

Indian Government Challenges Telegram in Court, Claims App Facilitates Terrorist Activities

The Indian government recently banned the secure messaging app Telegram for a week. Telegram has also challenged in court. The central government has made a big claim amid the controversy over Telegram. The government has said in court that Telegram has become the easiest and most convenient platform for terrorist activities. Before hearing the case, the solicitor general told the court that a detailed reply in this case has been filed in the court registry. As soon as it comes on record, the hearing will begin. The solicitor general also said that Telegram was called and heard. His arguments and the findings of the investigation on it are on record. The government was told that this case was heard by a committee headed by the cabinet secretary. During this time, the high court asked that if emergency power is used, then it is necessary to give a chance to hear within 48 hours. On this occasion, the next hearing was given.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 12:37 PM
West Bengal's TMC Suffers Another Blow as Treasurer Demands Freeze on Party Accounts Amid Leadership Confusion

West Bengal's TMC Suffers Another Blow as Treasurer Demands Freeze on Party Accounts Amid Leadership Confusion

The ongoing battle in West Bengal's TMC has taken a new turn. Party treasurer Arup Biswas has written a letter to a bank demanding a freeze on the party's accounts. He says that there is still confusion about who has the real leadership over the party. This has given another blow to Mamata Banerjee's faction. The infighting in the TMC has been going on for the last few days. On Thursday, this fight took a new turn when the party's'treasurer'Arup Biswas wrote a letter to a bank. In this letter, he demanded that the operation of the party's accounts be stopped. He said that there is no clear answer on who the real leadership of the party is. All this is happening at a time when some MLAs and MPs have revolted against the party's central leadership and are calling themselves the'real'TMC. This move is considered to be another big blow to the Mamata Banerjee faction. A few days ago, the rebel MLAs and the central page leadership of the TMC had challenged the manager of a private bank in the assembly.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 12:23 PM
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Faction) Faces Split Threat as MPs Absent from Meeting

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Faction) Faces Split Threat as MPs Absent from Meeting

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) is once again staring at the possibility of a major split. On Thursday, 6 out of 9 Lok Sabha MPs were absent from the parliamentary party meeting called by party MP Anil Desai in Delhi. These 6 MPs are two-thirds of the total strength of Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Lok Sabha. Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) has issued a show-cause notice to all the absentee MPs in view of this open rebellion and has started the process of cancelling their membership. The buzz in Maharashtra politics these days is about Operation Tiger. There is speculation that 7 out of the current 9 MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and are considering switching sides. This development has rekindled the concerns of the rebellion led by Shinde in 2022. Shiv Sena (UBT) had issued a whip to all its MPs to join a meeting at the Parliament office in Delhi. Sanjay Desai, Anil Desai, Anil Jadhav, Anil Waghmare, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay
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Kalinga TV
Jun 18, 2026, 12:14 PM
US Announces Review of Forces in Europe Amid Criticism from Allies

US Announces Review of Forces in Europe Amid Criticism from Allies

Brussels: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced that America will conduct a comprehensive review of its forces stationed in Europe. The announcement follows a sharp critique directed at the volume of financial contributions made by the United Kingdom. It also follows criticism of other international allies to the NATO alliance. Addressing defence ministers at the alliance headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth stated that, for an extended period, NATO had functioned as a “paper tiger and a one-way street.” Moreover, he said the alliance exhibited excessive dependence on Washington. He further asserted that “some of NATO’s largest economies… still think the era of free riding is here”. “No more,” he added, according to statements delivered at the headquarters. “For all of our clarity, too many allied capitals seem to still miss something in translation. Too many allies still don’t recognise the historic need that President Trump has made clear to them. President Trump has made it clear to NATO itself.” Beyond the ongoing debates surrounding military funding, the Pentagon chief also strongly criticised the European response regarding the American conflict with Iran. Moreover, the administration in Washington has reportedly expressed intense dissatisfaction. Multiple nations, including the UK, demonstrated reluctance to back the military strikes executed by American and Israeli forces. Elaborating on the strain in transatlantic relations, Hegseth noted: “[Trump] gave our allies a test to support America when we asked for their help. Too many failed it. The United States has defended Europe for generations.” He stated that the American President had explicitly detailed operational expectations. He further explained that “our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe. Or our ships from ports to strike targets in the Middle East. Iranian targets threaten European interests even more directly than they threaten us.” Critiquing the pushback received from European partners during the security crisis, Hegseth noted: “But too many of our allies said no or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates. Or they criticised us publicly for doing what they aren’t prepared or able to do themselves.” “It was shameful,” he added during his address. “These allies put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk. Allies did this by denying them the predictable access and overflight. This access never should have been in question at all.” In direct response to these diplomatic and operational frictions, Hegseth declared that Washington would cease paying a disproportionate share for the collective defence of NATO relative to its allies. Therefore, moving forward, American financial dues will remain strictly contingent on other member nations fulfilling their designated spending targets. Concurrently, the Pentagon is prepared to initiate an official assessment of the American troop presence across the European theatre. Hegseth cautioned that specific NATO members would fall short of expectations. Reacting to the shifting security dynamics, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that European member states are already actively pledging to substitute the battlefield equipment that the United States is currently pulling back. This is as reported by Politico. “What we are working on is to make sure that what the US has been providing so far will be filled,” the NATO Secretary General informed journalists in Brussels. “Most of it is done. Some of it is nearly done. Some of it requires more debates and discussions.” Emphasising the transition towards greater European strategic responsibility, Rutte stated: “The US is saying, ‘we have adjusted our contributions to the NATO force model.’ That means other allies have to step up.” The NATO chief also noted, “We see that European allies and Canada are ready, willing and able to do more.” (ANI) Also Read: Opesh Kumar Sharma Addresses Persian Gulf Shipping Issues
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 12:12 PM
West Bengal Political Tensions Escalate as TMC Accuses Government of Targeting Mamata Banerjee's Security

West Bengal Political Tensions Escalate as TMC Accuses Government of Targeting Mamata Banerjee's Security

A new political development has come to light in West Bengal involving former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, which has caused a furore and a flurry of allegations in the political corridors of the state. In fact, Mamata Banerjee's party Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday (June 18, 2026) has made a fresh allegation against the Suvendu Adhikari government of Bengal that the government has removed long-standing personnel deployed in Mamata Banerjee's security. TMC has called this move a political vendetta and a new low. Trinamool Congress (TMC) said in a post on social media platform X on Thursday (June 18, 2026), "Mamata Banerjee has Z category security. There is no official confirmation of any personnel being removed from the security system of the three-time Chief Minister of the state Banerjee or any other person being deployed in her place." The party said, "This is not an administrative action, but an attempt to isolate and threaten her."
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 12:05 PM
Indian Politicians Clash Over Delimitation Framework and Lok Sabha Seat Increases

Indian Politicians Clash Over Delimitation Framework and Lok Sabha Seat Increases

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday objected to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's statement defending the Centre's proposed delimitation framework. He argued that even if Lok Sabha seats were increased equally in all states, the political impact would be skewed towards the larger states. Tharoor's response came after Naidu criticised the opposition for stalling the Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament and said concerns about delimitation were unfounded. Explain that the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced during a special session of Parliament in April, proposed to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850, and to link delimitation to the 2011 census. It also proposed to proportionately increase the number of Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent for all states. The bill failed to get the required two-thirds majority. Of the 528 members who voted, 298 supported the bill while 230 opposed it. Tharoor said the social media platform was less than 35 per cent of the votes cast.
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Dainik Bhaskar
Jun 18, 2026, 12:04 PM
Ukraine Launches Largest-Ever Drone Strike on Russia

Ukraine Launches Largest-Ever Drone Strike on Russia

Ukraine carried out its largest-ever drone strike on Russia on Thursday. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, about 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles were shot down overnight. About 200 of them were heading for the capital, Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "We did not want this war, but if Ukraine burns, Moscow will also burn." The BBC reported that an oil depot in the southern Rostov region was destroyed in the attack. One person was killed. Moscow's Kapotnya oil refinery was also hit. The lid of the oil depot tank bounced several meters and plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky after the explosion. According to reports, a nearby shopping center also caught fire. Drone debris caused damage to some residential and commercial buildings. Several high-rise buildings were evacuated. Flights were briefly halted at Moscow's airports after the attack. Moscow told the Russian military that they had responded to the strikes.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 11:58 AM
US-Iran Peace Deal Criticized by Israel's Ambassador to India

US-Iran Peace Deal Criticized by Israel's Ambassador to India

Israel's Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Thursday categorically stated that the US-Iran peace deal has ignored issues important to Israel. He said this in an exclusive interview to India Today. Azar pointed out that the deal does not address Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups. He warned that if these security-related issues are not resolved, there could be a confrontation with Iran in the future. Azar said, "Israel's interests have been affected in terms of ballistic missiles. The biggest challenge for Israel is the issue of ballistic missiles and Iran's support for proxy groups." Proxy groups here mean organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, which are believed to receive money and weapons from Iran. He also said, "We have concerns on the nuclear issue." On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud signed a Middle East agreement that was aimed at halting the Middle East conflict.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 11:54 AM
Shiv Sena (UBT) on Verge of Major Split as Six MPs Quit Party Over Ideological Differences

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Verge of Major Split as Six MPs Quit Party Over Ideological Differences

Four years after the rebellion that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) is on the verge of another major split. On Thursday, six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs did not turn up for a parliamentary party meeting, a clear sign that they were quitting the party. These disgruntled MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday to formalise their separation and merger with the ruling Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Only three MPs, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Vaze, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut attended the party's official meeting, confirming the deep divisions within the parliamentary party. According to NDTV, during their meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, the six rebel MPs claimed that the Thackeray faction had deviated from the core ideology of the party founded by Bal Thackeray. The rebels expressed concern that senior leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) were quietly planning a complete merger of the House with its ally Congress in the opposition alliance.
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The Moscow Times
Jun 18, 2026, 11:53 AM
Belarus Summons Ukrainian Diplomat Over Deadly Drone Strike on Soccer Team Bus

Belarus Summons Ukrainian Diplomat Over Deadly Drone Strike on Soccer Team Bus

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it summoned a senior Ukrainian diplomat to protest a deadly drone strike on a bus carrying a Belarusian youth soccer team. Belarusian and Russian authorities accused Ukraine’s military of targeting the vehicle as it traveled through Russia’s western border region of Bryansk on Wednesday. A woman accompanying the team was killed, and six others, including four teenagers, were wounded. Following the incident, f ederal investigators in Russia launched a terrorism probe. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attack as “another monstrous crime.” Ukraine has denied it targeted the bus and dismissed the allegations as a “provocation.” Belarusian state media reported that officials handed Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires, Ivan Novitsky, a formal note of protest, “ decisively ” condemning the incident as an “ inhumane act of terrorism. ” Authorities in Minsk demanded that Ukraine carry out an “immediate and objective investigation” into the incident and punish those responsible. They also said Belarus “reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to the Ukrainian side.” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said he was ready to “join the transparent and impartial establishment of all the facts and circumstances of this event.” Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko maintained that the bus was attacked by a “Ukrainian drone” despite Kyiv’s claims that “the Russians themselves may have carried out such a strike.” “We aren’t going to jump to conclusions, but we’re clearly stating the fact that this drone is of Ukrainian origin,” Lukashenko said during a military briefing. He also warned that dragging Belarus into the war would “end badly for those trying to do it.” Belarus allowed Moscow to use its territory as a staging ground for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 11:48 AM
US Defense Secretary Criticizes European Allies Over Security and Military Cooperation

US Defense Secretary Criticizes European Allies Over Security and Military Cooperation

In a meeting of NATO countries on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a scathing attack on European allies. He announced that US military forces in Europe will undergo a comprehensive review in the next six months. He made it clear that America's military presence in the future will depend on how fast and seriously European countries take responsibility for their security. Addressing a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Hegseth said that this will not just be a formal review, but its purpose is to ensure that Europe leads its own defense and reduces its dependence on the United States. Hegseth alleged that some European allies did not allow the US military to use their military bases, air routes, and essential facilities during a possible military action against Iran. He called it shameful, saying that this attitude of allied countries endangered the safety of American soldiers. The US Defense Secretary also questioned the policies of European countries. He alleged that Europe, instead of focusing on welfare resources such as tanks, combat aircraft, and air defense systems, also affected its defense budget and climate change plans.
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ABP News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 11:45 AM
Israel's Ambassador Warns Against US-Iran Deal, Threatens Retaliation Against Hezbollah

Israel's Ambassador Warns Against US-Iran Deal, Threatens Retaliation Against Hezbollah

Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has made statements about the Middle East war and the US-Iran deal. In an exclusive conversation with ABP News, Reuven Azar said that Israel is not part of the agreement between the US and Iran. He said that Israel will take action if Iran does not abide by the agreement and builds nuclear weapons. He made it clear that Israel is a sovereign country and will not come under pressure from the US. The Israeli ambassador said that if Hezbollah attacks us, we will retaliate. According to the ambassador, there are challenges with this MoU at the diplomatic level because it does not include Israel's main concerns, such as the ballistic missile threat and Iran's support for its proxy organizations. Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar said that the military campaign with the United States has been very successful, in which Iran's forces have been battered. He said, "Israel is no longer a nuclear threat and ballistic missile threat, and we have weakened Hezbollah's security capability to ensure Israel's security."
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 11:41 AM
Rabri Devi's Official Residence in Bihar Cleared Out, Items Shifted to Tejashwi Yadav's Home

Rabri Devi's Official Residence in Bihar Cleared Out, Items Shifted to Tejashwi Yadav's Home

In the capital of Bihar, Patna, on Tuesday, items started to be removed from the official residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi at 10 Circular Road. During this time, items were loaded in a pickup van and sent to the official residence of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav at 1 Polo Road. According to information, this bungalow of 10 Circular Road has been with former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav for the last 21 years. This bungalow has been considered an important center of Bihar politics for a long time. Recently, the Bihar Government's Building Construction Department has allocated this bungalow to the new state minister Nandkishore Ram. Also, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi has been allocated a second bungalow at 39 Hardinge Road as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council. Despite this, the process of vacating the 10 Circular Road residence was not fully completed. Now, in this order, items were removed from the pickup van and shifted to the official residence of Tejashwi Yadav at 1 Polo Road.
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India TV
Jun 18, 2026, 11:38 AM
Maharashtra Politics: Rebel MPs Submit Letters to Lok Sabha Speaker, Demand Recognition and Separate Seating Arrangement

Maharashtra Politics: Rebel MPs Submit Letters to Lok Sabha Speaker, Demand Recognition and Separate Seating Arrangement

Another major update has emerged from Maharashtra politics. According to sources, six rebel MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray faction have submitted their signed letters to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. These MPs have also demanded to be recognized as a separate faction in the Lok Sabha. Along with this, the rebel MPs have also requested to have their separate seating arrangement inside the Parliament. According to sources, there is a possibility of the presence of all these MPs in Delhi on June 22, where they will take forward the process of merging Shinde with Shiv Sena. On the same day, these MPs can be formally admitted or merged with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Earlier on Wednesday, these rebel leaders met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informally. They claimed to have the support of 6 out of the total 9 MPs of Shiv Sena-UBT in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, 6 MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray faction have changed sides, their security has been increased on the directions of the Central Government.
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Jun 18, 2026, 11:36 AM
India's PM-KISAN Scheme Reaches New Milestone with ₹18,880 Crore Disbursement to Farmers

India's PM-KISAN Scheme Reaches New Milestone with ₹18,880 Crore Disbursement to Farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on June 20 from Tarakeswar in West Bengal’s Hooghly District, marking another major milestone in one of the world’s largest direct income support programmes for farmers. Under the latest instalment, more than ₹18,880 crore will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country. The disbursement will include benefits for more than 2.18 crore women farmers, further strengthening financial support for the agricultural sector. The event, being organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with support from the Government of West Bengal, is expected to witness participation from over one crore farmers through video conferencing at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agriculture mandis, PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, cooperative societies and village-level events nationwide. PM-KISAN Disbursement Crosses ₹4.46 Lakh Crore With the release of the 23rd instalment, total financial assistance provided under PM-KISAN since its launch on February 24, 2019, will exceed ₹4.46 lakh crore. The scheme provides eligible farmer families with annual income support through direct benefit transfers, helping strengthen rural livelihoods and agricultural sustainability. West Bengal is expected to receive a significant share of the latest disbursement. More than 45.35 lakh farmers in the state will receive over ₹907.21 crore under the 23rd instalment. Cumulative PM-KISAN transfers to West Bengal will cross ₹15,055 crore since the scheme was extended to beneficiaries in the state. The programme will be attended by West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar and Member of Parliament Samik Bhattacharya, among others. PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas to be Celebrated Nationwide To mark the occasion, the government will organize awareness programmes at state, district, block and Gram Panchayat levels under the banner of “PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas.” The events will showcase various Central and State government schemes aimed at improving farmers’ income, agricultural productivity and rural development. Major Agricultural Initiatives to be Launched Alongside the PM-KISAN instalment release, the Prime Minister will launch and inaugurate several key agricultural initiatives in West Bengal, including crop insurance, digital agriculture, natural farming and district-focused agricultural development programmes. PM Fasal Bima Yojana Extended to West Bengal A major announcement during the event will be the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) in West Bengal. Launched nationally in 2016, PMFBY is regarded as the world’s largest crop insurance programme and provides financial protection against crop losses arising from natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, pests and diseases. During the 2026-27 agricultural year, the scheme aims to provide insurance coverage to nearly 1.10 crore farmers across approximately 30 lakh hectares of farmland in West Bengal. The programme is expected to protect crops with an estimated insured value of ₹28,140 crore. To keep premiums affordable for farmers, the Centre and the state government will jointly provide premium subsidies of around ₹777 crore. The Ministry said that the move will strengthen income security and risk management for farmers across the state. Digital Agriculture Mission to Roll Out AgriStack in Bengal The Prime Minister will also launch AgriStack in West Bengal under the broader Digital Agriculture Mission, a national initiative with an outlay of ₹2,817 crore. The mission leverages digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and space technologies to transform agricultural service delivery. AgriStack will create a unified digital platform enabling farmers to access services such as fertiliser distribution, Kisan Credit Cards, Direct Benefit Transfers, Crop insurance services, andProcurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. The Ministry said the platform will improve transparency, streamline service delivery and strengthen digital governance in the agriculture sector. Natural Farming Mission to Benefit Over 43,000 Farmers The event will also mark the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) in West Bengal. The centrally sponsored scheme, launched in November 2024, promotes chemical-free agriculture based on traditional Indian farming practices. It focuses on reducing input costs, improving soil health and enhancing climate resilience. Under West Bengal’s Annual Action Plan for 2026-27, the mission will establish 346 natural farming clusters covering 17,300 hectares and benefiting approximately 43,250 farmers. The programme will also facilitate the creation of Bio-Input Resource Centres and mobilise Krishi Sakhis to encourage wider adoption of eco-friendly farming methods. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to Cover Four Bengal Districts PM Modi will also initiate implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) in West Bengal. The scheme, launched in October 2025, focuses on improving agricultural productivity in districts with low productivity, low cropping intensity and limited institutional credit access. In West Bengal, PMDDKY will cover four districts Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar and Jhargram. The programme aims to improve crop productivity, promote diversification and sustainable farming, strengthen irrigation and post-harvest infrastructure, enhance institutional credit access and ensure convergence of multiple development schemes.
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Jun 18, 2026, 11:28 AM
Ram Temple Theft Scandal Rocks Indian Politics

Ram Temple Theft Scandal Rocks Indian Politics

The theft of offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, is in the news these days. An SIT investigation has also begun amid many serious allegations on the temple management. Meanwhile, a video is increasingly viral on social media, claiming that the amount of offerings is counted at this place. It has been stolen from this place. It is claimed that more than two hundred crores have been stolen. This news has caused an earthquake in the state's politics. The entire opposition has surrounded the BJP government and the Shri Ram Temple Construction Trust. However, there has been no statement from the temple management or the administration regarding the viral video. Let us tell you that Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav recently demanded an investigation by the court alleging theft and embezzlement in the Ram temple in Ayodhya. After this, the temple management and the BJP falsified Yadav's claims. After this, politics intensified on this.
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Siasat News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 11:20 AM
Shiv Sena Leader Accuses Rebel MPs of Betrayal, Demands They Quit

Shiv Sena Leader Accuses Rebel MPs of Betrayal, Demands They Quit

: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday, June 18, claimed that the rebel MPs of his party had been given an additional Rs 10 crore and moved to a safe location in Rajasthan, as the Uddhav Thackeray-led party faces an imminent crisis. Addressing a news conference in New Delhi, Raut said the “traitors”, a reference to the dissident Sena (UBT) MPs, have been given police security. He demanded that the cover provided to the lawmakers and to their properties be withdrawn. He also warned that the party would launch ‘Operation Tudwa’ (bash up) against the rebel MPs. “Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have been given an additional Rs 10 crore each. Earlier, they were given Rs 15 crore each. They have moved from Delhi to a safe location in Rajasthan,” he said. The Rajya Sabha MP, who again used expletives in the press conference on Thursday, had earlier alleged that the MPs were being offered Rs 50 crore to switch sides. Raut demanded that the rebel MPs quit and seek re-election, stressing that Sena (UBT) workers have toiled to ensure their victory. “If they have any morality left, then they should quit,” Raut said. Earlier in the day, six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs of the Sena (UBT) skipped its parliamentary party meeting here, signalling that a formal crossover to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may be only a matter of time. Sena (UBT) MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Sanjay Raut, the party’s lone Rajya Sabha MP. The absence of the remaining six MPs all but confirmed a split in the party’s parliamentary ranks. The MPs who skipped the meeting are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. While Sawant said that show-cause notices would be issued to the six MPs, Raut claimed that their no-show would be considered a violation of the party whip.
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The Moscow Times
Jun 18, 2026, 11:15 AM
French LNG Tanker Makes Historic Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

French LNG Tanker Makes Historic Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

PARIS: A French-flagged LNG tanker left the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a tracking platform said, as an agreement to end the US-Iran war paved the way for the key passage's reopening. The liquefied natural gas vessel (LNG) the Mraikh, owned by the Nantes-based subsidiary of Norwegian company Knutsen OAS Shipping, was the first such French vessel to make the transit since the start of the Iran conflict on February 28. It was carrying 76,535 tons of LNG, which it loaded in Ras Laffan, Qatar, and was bound for Port Qasim, Pakistan, according to the MarineTraffic platform operated by data firm Kpler, which tracks cargo ships. The carrier began moving on Wednesday around 2000 GMT (early Thursday morning, local time), according to the ship's AIS transponder signal published on MarineTraffic. That was roughly at the time that it was announced US President Donald Trump had signed a memorandum of understanding in which Tehran committed to immediately reopening the strait. Only 15 LNG carriers, including the Mraikh, have left the Gulf with a cargo since the start of the conflict, according to Kpler. They were all carrying either Qatari LNG, like the Mraikh, or Emirati LNG. "LNG operators have remained highly cautious about transiting the strait given the high value of the vessels and the relatively limited size of the global LNG fleet," Laura Page, an analyst at Kpler, told AFP in early May. Traffic in the strait appeared to have accelerated on Thursday, with numerous ships seemingly transiting the waterway in both directions, according to AIS signals published on MarineTraffic. At 1030 GMT (early afternoon local time), Kpler had already confirmed six transits by commodity transport vessels, roughly equal to the daily average of the previous seven days.
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Siasat News✓
Jun 18, 2026, 11:14 AM
UAE Introduces Minimum Age Requirement for Social Media Use

UAE Introduces Minimum Age Requirement for Social Media Use

: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, June 18, become the first Arab country to introduce a minimum age requirement for social media use after the Cabinet approved a new resolution regulating children’s access to digital platforms. The UAE Government Media Office announced the decision in a statement shared on X, outlining a series of measures aimed at strengthening online safety for children and teenagers. Under the new rules, children under the age of 15 will be prohibited from creating or using personal accounts on social media platforms and will not be permitted to access their full features. The resolution forms part of broader efforts to strengthen online safety for young users and establish a clearer regulatory framework for digital engagement. Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will be allowed regulated access to social media platforms, subject to age-appropriate content classification, restricted interactions, controlled usage periods and parental supervision measures. The Cabinet said social media companies will have a transitional period of up to 12 months to gradually implement the new standards in coordination with relevant authorities, ensuring technical and regulatory readiness. As part of the requirements, platforms must introduce accurate and reliable age-verification mechanisms to prevent underage users from accessing services in violation of the regulations. The resolution also states that parental consent will not serve as an exemption from the restrictions or prohibitions set out under the new framework. Social media companies will be required to monitor non-compliant accounts and take immediate action to enforce compliance. The rules further prohibit the use or processing of children’s personal data for commercial purposes based on tracking their digital activities. Parents and caregivers will be responsible for actively supervising their children’s permitted online activity and promoting awareness of safe and responsible internet use. According to the statement, the resolution provides families with a clear framework and practical tools to guide children towards more responsible and mindful digital engagement while enhancing protections for minors in the online environment. The move comes as governments around the world explore stricter measures to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful content, excessive screen time, privacy risks and other challenges associated with social media use.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 18, 2026, 11:13 AM
UP Elections 2027: A Crucial Test for Ruling BJP Ahead of General Elections

UP Elections 2027: A Crucial Test for Ruling BJP Ahead of General Elections

'The road to power in Delhi passes through Uttar Pradesh and the power of Lucknow through Purvanchal'is not just a proverbial past. If you look at this past like a mirror, then the eyes are fixed on the UP elections of 2027. Only a few months are left when the leading faces of politics on the UP election sheet will be seen in full swing to defeat each other. This election is considered to be a big test for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is leading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in UP and the center before the general elections of 2029. Now the question is what is the competition of the BJP equipped with Maharathi in UP. The BJP has been in power in the country's largest state in terms of population since 2017. The BJP could not even touch the figure of 250 in the Lok Sabha elections and was reduced to 240 seats. Even then the most talked about was the BJP, which won 71 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the BJP, which won the largest number of seats in the state in 2019.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 18, 2026, 11:10 AM
Sanjay Raut Accuses Rebel Shiv Sena MPs of Being Traitors, Demands Security Withdrawal

Sanjay Raut Accuses Rebel Shiv Sena MPs of Being Traitors, Demands Security Withdrawal

Amid the ongoing crisis in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), party leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed that his rebel MPs have been given an additional amount of ₹10-10 crore and moved to a safe place in Rajasthan. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut called the dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs traitors and said that they have been given police protection. He demanded that the security given to these MPs and their properties be withdrawn immediately. Also, he warned that the party will launch an operation against the rebel MPs. Raut claimed, "Rebel MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) have been given ₹10-10 crore extra. Earlier they were given ₹15-15 crore. Now they have moved from Delhi to a safe place in Rajasthan."
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Amar Ujala
Jun 18, 2026, 11:03 AM
Congress Demands Probe into Ram Mandir Trust Controversy, Accuses Centre and BJP of Undemocratic Actions

Congress Demands Probe into Ram Mandir Trust Controversy, Accuses Centre and BJP of Undemocratic Actions

He said that the public has the right to know who is responsible for the Ram Mandir Trust and the matters related to it. Therefore, the whole episode should be investigated impartially and the truth should be brought to the fore. Speaking at the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan's call for Save Democracy Satyagraha in the capital Bhopal on Thursday, the Congress described the issue as a fight for democracy and the Constitution beyond a Rajya Sabha seat. The Satyagraha was attended by a large number of Congress workers, including senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, National President of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan Sunil Pawar. At the sit-in in front of Jawahar Bhawan at Roshanpura Square, Congress leaders attacked the Centre and the BJP for the cancellation of nominations as against democratic values. Addressing the Ad Satyagraha, Meenakshi Natarajan said that the matter is not limited to one Rajya Sabha seat. She alleged that attempts are being made to take the country towards One Nation, One Party and a campaign is being run to weaken the opposition parties.
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